Use these fast and simple tips to conserve electricity and save money while reducing your home and business energy bills.

Residential

• Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home. Set to 85 degrees or off when you are away.
• Use a fan with your air conditioner to spread the cooler air through your home.
• Do your laundry efficiently by using hot water setting only when necessary and by utilizing short cycles for lightly soiled or delicate clothing.
• Run your dishwasher only when it is fully loaded.
• Keep pots and pans covered to retain heat and decrease cooking times.
• Turn off appliances, lights, and equipment when not in use.
• Do not place lamps or TVs near your air conditioning thermostat. The heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer.
• Close drapes to help keep rooms cool on hot, sunny days.
• Use a sink full of water for washing pots and cleaning.
• Maximize a heated oven by cooking multiple dishes at once.

Business

• Break the habit of turning everything ON first thing in the morning. Keep computers and equipment turned off until needed.
• Maintain door gaskets and seals in good condition and fix any leaks and cracks in doors, windows, and other areas of your property.
• Keep evaporator coils clean and free of ice build-up.
• Utilize overhangs to limit direct beam sunlight coming in store or office windows.
• Install low-wattage bathroom and foyer night lights.
• Use natural lighting as much as possible.
• Install light timers to control when and how long lights will be in operation.
• Keep refrigerators full so that cold temperature is retained longer.
• Allow hot food to cool before storing it in refrigerators and freezers.
• Install programmable thermostat and lock its cover to avoid settings tampering.
• Schedule pre-heating times for ovens, grills, broilers, fryers, and other equipment.

 

Information provided from the US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and Tara Energy Research Group. These tips are being provided for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations. Always consult with an appropriate expert to make sure that any steps you take are right for you. Tara Energy shall not be responsible for punitive, incidental, consequential, or special damages.