Resources | Conserve energy

One way to reduce energy cost is to increase efficiency.

We recommend implementing energy efficient measures prior to design and installation of a renewable energy system.  Implementing energy efficient measures costs less than installing a renewable energy system, and it can help you determine how much energy you really need for your renewable energy system if you decide to install one.

No cost measures

•     Turn off lights when not in use or leave room.

•     Dust light bulbs.

•     Lower room temperature when no one is home or when everyone is sleeping.

•     Close curtains or shades at night in winter; open them during the day.

•     Close vents and/or doors for unused rooms.

•     Unplug electronic appliances with a remote, like TV, stereo, DVD player, etc., when they are not in use.  These electronic appliances consume power 24x7 even when turned off.

•     Unplug electronic power adapters and battery chargers for cell phone, PDA, etc. when not in use.

•     Use cold water to wash clothes.

•     Keep dryer vent clean.

•     Run dishwasher with full loads or hand wash and air dry dishes.

•     Perform “Dollar” bill sealing test around refrigerator and oven doors; replace sealing if needed.

•     Turn down refrigerator temperature settings and fill it up.

•     Turn down freezer temperature setting (10˚F).

•     Thaw food in room temperature instead of using microwave.

•     Use pressure cooker and boil water with a lid.

•     Turn down hot water tank or set to “vacation” when on vacation.

•     Drain hot water tank once a year in summer to help increase its efficiency.

•     Avoid idling, aggressive driving and overloading vehicles.

Low cost measures

•     Change incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFL).

•     Use programmable thermostat.

•     Use a power strip for computer and peripherals to shut everything off when not in use.

•     Seal windows and patio doors in winter.

•     Use fans instead of air conditioning in summer.

•     Change shower heads to water-saving models.

•     Shade air-conditioning unit in summer if it faces the sun.

•     Repair or replace leaky faucet.

•      Insulate hot water pipes.

•      Insulate hot water tank.

•      Seal electric outlets.

•     Seal ducts in basement.

•     Keep car properly maintained and tuned up, and tires properly inflated.

Medium to high cost measures

•     Use power monitor tools, like Kill-A-Watt, to measure home appliance power consumption, perform cost analysis then decide whether to reduce usage or replace.

•     Install a humidifier at furnace to increase thermal mass in winter.

•     Replace inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR appliances, which are 20% more efficient than federal standards.

•     Add insulation to attic space.  This can help even if you already have insulation.

•     Consider install a solar hot water heater.

•     Look for windows with low U-factor and medium SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient) when ready to replace windows.

•      Buy a hybrid or fuel-efficiency vehicle for the next car purchase.

For more energy efficiency measures, see http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips and http://solartoday.org/ee.