All Energy Tips

Don’t choose a lower air conditioning temperature when you first turn it on. It won’t cool faster –- whenever it’s running it’s cooling as fast as it can. Set low, it cools longer, not faster.

Replace or clean dirty air filters - dirty air filters cause the unit to run longer.

Replacing old appliances and equipment with new, energy-efficient models will help customers save money and reduce energy demand for the entire community.

Close shades, drapes and blinds during the day (all directions).  This will help keep heat from the sun out of your home, which is helpful during the summer.

Run your dishwasher late at night and air dry your dishes.  You won’t need to open the dishwasher door until morning, so you won’t let heat and humidity into the air.

Although your double-hung single-pane windows with interior storms are certainly not the most energy efficient available, it would not be cost-effective to replace them from an energy savings perspective alone. As an example, for a two-foot by four-foot window this would equate to $8 in annual savings. If you compare that to the $400 or higher cost for that window, you are looking at a multiple decades payback period. So try using our weatherazation tips to help lower costs.

Fix leaky faucets. Test by placing a cup under a faucet – if it fills up after ten minutes you are wasting over 3,000 gallons of heated water per year!

Most filters are labeled with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating number, which measures a filter's ability to trap particles ranging in size from 3.0 microns to 10.0 microns. Residential filters commonly have MERV ratings of 1-12. In most cases, a pleated filter with a MERV rating between 6 and 8 is adequate. Remember to clean or change your filters at least every two months during the heating season.