Hot & Cold Weather Tips
Just as no-cost and low-cost tips help with better energy management any time of the year, taking control of your energy usage during the hottest and coldest months will as well. Did you realize that while you are away on summer or winter vacation, your home is not? You can take steps to lower your energy usage while you are on vacation as well as throughout the hot and cold months. Follow these simple steps to help reduce the amount of energy you use and help lower your utility bill.
Tips for Hot Weather
- Set your thermostat at 78° or higher
- During the day, close blinds or curtains on the south and west sides of your home
- Keep the filters of your air conditioning unit clean and clear any debris such as loose grass from mowing free from the condensing units outside
- Keep any appliances or electronics that produce heat away from your air conditioner thermostat
- Be sure not to block the flow of cool air from registers, vents or individual air conditioning units
- Use ceiling fans to help circulate cool air
- Use the microwave, toaster oven or grill for cooking
Tips for Cold Weather
- Set your thermostat at 68° or lower
- Make sure to disconnect and drain garden hoses connected to outside faucets
- Cover outside faucets with insulators and insulate any exposed pipes
- Secure crawl space openings to ensure they stay closed
- Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage
- Insulate pipes and faucets in unheated areas
- Install a door sweep to help reduce cold drafts coming in under doors
- When the temperature outside drops below 20° leave your faucets running with a small drip and open doors of cabinets that contain plumbing
- Make sure the fireplace damper is closed when not in use
- Use area rugs in non-carpeted rooms
Vacation Tips
- If you are leaving for summer vacation, set your thermostat at 80-85° while nobody is home
- If you have a gas water heater, set the thermostat to its lowest setting or use the “vacation” setting
- If you have an electric water heater, you can turn it off at the circuit breaker
- Clean out easily spoiled items from your refrigerator and adjust the thermostat a few degrees higher
- Leave natural gas pilot lights lit
- Turn off/unplug powerstrips and any unnecessary lights, appliances and electronic devices
