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Energy Saving Tips

Energy Saving Tips by Rochester Solar Technologies

 

Easy to do tips Energy Saving Tips:
  1. Replace your furnace filter cleaned once a year
  2. Turn off lights when not in the room
  3. Reduce the number of dimmers in your home, replace then with regular switches
  4. Replace those motion detection lights with switches, that is of course if you don't need that added security feature!
  5. Make sure your hot water tank is set less then 115 degrees. (Most people will not even notice the difference between 111 degrees and 115 degrees) We have found that 111 degrees is plenty warm to take showers, and do the wash!
  6. Wash your laundry in full loads, and with cold water
  7. Clean you refrigerator coils of dust once a year
  8. Install clear plexi glass over your windows in the winter, and remove it in the summer
  9. Have your air condition checked and the coils cleaned once a year
  10. Reduce your phantom loads (Appliances that are on all the time but your don't think they are)
  11. Christmas tip, get ride of those old christmas tree bulbs, and relace them with LED bulbs. They use 2/3 less energy!
  12. If you have an old GSE 9000, Northern Solar, or Blackwall solar heating system, call us for a tune up and inspection!
Home improvements:
  1. Insulate hot water tanks with an approved insulation blanket
  2. Change those old single glass windows
  3. Clear caulk along the seams inside and outside of your windows
  4. Weatherstrip along doors and windows
  5. Insulate your attic. (This is one of the most important home improvements you could do.)
  6. Buy energy star rated appliances. (This will be a serious savings for your electric)
  7. Reduce the amount of dimmers in your home, as they use electric 24 hours a day even when the light is off!
  8. Wireless, battery powered doorbell
  9. Purchase low-flow shower heads
  10. Set your computer monitors to turn off after 5-10 minutes of no use
  11. Install energy star lighting
  12. Have a tankless (on demand) hot water heater installed. We have a Takagi, and it works great!
Set back thermostatThermostat
Your can lower your thermostat by 4 - 5 degrees Celsius (7 - 9 degrees Fahrenheit) while you're sleeping at night and when no one is at home.

Consider buying a programmable thermostat.



Every Star 96% furnaceFurnace
Keep your furnace clean, and properly adjusted with annual maintenance. An improperly working furnace wastes fuel. Clean or replace the filter regularly - a dirty filter reduces the airflow and forces the furnace to run longer to heat your home. If your furnace is working at peak efficiency, it will use less energy and cost you less to operate.

Consider purchasing a new ENERGY STAR qualified heating system which offers an efficiency of 90% or higher. If you plan to replace your furnace, try to do so before the winter.

Evergy Star washerLaundry
Switch to Cold - 85-90% of the energy used to wash your clothes is used to heat the water. By turning your dial to cold on your washing machine, you help the environment, save energy, and save money. Remember to wash full loads..

Choose a front loading washing machine. Not only do the front-loading washing machines save water, they save energy as well. It uses about 40% less water and about 50% less energy. Just look for the EnerGuide label on a front-load washing machine to compare the amount of energy it uses with other types of washing machines.

Make sure your clothes dryer vents directly outside.

Consider buying a natural clothes dryer which is more economical and faster than electric

Basement
If you have an unfinished basement or crawlspace, check for leaks by looking for spider webs. If there is a web, there is a draft. A large amount of heat is also lost from an un-insulated basement.

Consider adding insulation to basement walls.

Evergy star blindsDrapes and Blinds
On sunny days, open south facing drapes and let the sun in, a natural source of heat. If you have large windows that don't receive direct sun, keep the drapes closed. Close your drapes and blinds during the night. There is also energy saving blinds and drapes on the market. These will keep in the heat and prevent the cold from entering your home during the winter.




Pipes, ducts, fans and vents
Plug gaps around pipes, ducts, fans and vents that go through walls, ceilings and floors from heated to unheated spaces.

Caulking those windowsWindows, door frames, sills and joints
Apply a sealant or caulk around windows, door frames, sills and joints. On a windy day feel for leaks or use a couple of incense sticks to help identify leaks around windows, electrical outlets, vents and exterior doors. As well look for spider webs - if there is a web there is a draft.

To help prevent heat loss around windows use plastic window covers and make sure return air grills and heating vents are clear of furniture, rugs and drapes, as they will interfere with the flow of heat through your home.



weather stripping for our windows and doorsWeather-stripping
Weather-stripping provides a barrier between the fixed and movable sections of doors and windows. Apply weather-stripping to operable windows, exterior doors, garage doors, and doors that lead to the attic.

Consider upgrading the windows in your home. Select high efficiency windows with low-e coatings, argon gas fill and insulated spacers.



Wood fireplace
Not using your wood fireplace? Close the damper to prevent warm air from escaping through the chimney, and ensure the damper fits properly.

Consider installing a natural gas fireplace. They're economical and burn cleaner than wood-burning units.

Low volume shower headsShowerheads and faucets
Install low-flow showerheads and faucets. This will cut down on your overall yearly water energy savings. Usually most water saving showerheads will have a tag that will let you know and also show a chart that shows details how it compares to other non water saving shower heads.





Energy Star DishwasherDishwasher
Always wash a full load in your dishwasher and air-dry your dishes on the "energy saver" setting. When buying a new dishwasher educate yourself and ask questions before you buy. The most efficient models with have the Energy Star logo on them. These models will save you $ down the road.






Natural gas range
Try not to preheat your oven, and cook complete meals of several dishes simultaneously in the oven. Cook on range top burners when practical instead of in the oven.

Consider buying a natural gas range. It's less expensive than an electric stove, and it also provides moist heat and greater temperature control.

Refrigerator
Set your fridge thermostat to 3 degrees Celsius, and set your freezer thermostat to -18 degrees Celsius.
Energy Star Refrigerator
Garage
Turn on the heat just prior to use; save by not heating it continuously.

What you can do to help the environment
  1. Don't leave the water running constantly when shaving
  2. Let others know about your energy saving appliances and upgrades
  3. Turn off lights and TV's when not in that room
  4. Unplug those Game Boys and Video games when using them
  5. Buy energy star appliances
  6. Use bio-degradable soap
  7. Hang clothes in your home which will help with the humidity and save on electric costs
  8. Use environmentally safe detergents and soaps
  9. Talk to your congressman about Global warming
  10. Call your energy provider and ask to provide you with Green energy technology (Wind, Solar, Hydro)
  11. Educate kids on renewables for our future
  12. Request to schools to teach on solar and wind renewable energy
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