summertime energy saving tips

appliances
Check the condenser in the back of your refrigerator or freezer. If the coils are full of dust, vacuum the coil to make the unit run more efficienty. You should clean the coil on the back of your refrigerator or freezer every 4-6 months. A clean unit runs much more efficiently than a dirty one.

lighting
Keep bulbs & fixtures clean. Dirt & dust reduce light output & efficiency. Also, install compact fluorescent bulbs into fixtures that are on more than four hours per day. Compact fluorescent lighting rebates may be available to you.

water heater
Test your water heater temperature. Use a standard meat thermometer to test the water at the kitchen sink. Lowering the temperature to 120°F could save you 15% of your water heating energy. Also, repair leaky or dripping hot water faucets immediately. One drop a second can waste as much as 48 gallons of water per week.

air conditioning
Check the location of your air conditioner. If you locate your window air conditioner on the shady side of your house, it will operate more efficiently & save energy. To save even more energy, use just a fan on cooler days.

If you have central air conditioning, have it tuned up by a contractor or service technician every other year. This will minimize failures in the middle of the peak cooling season & help the unit operate more efficiently this summer.

fans
Check your ceiling fan to see if it is reversible. In the summer, set the rotation of your fan to pull the warm air up to the ceiling. In the winter, set the direction of the fan to push the heated air down from the ceiling. Fans can be an effective way to make your home cooler & use only a fraction of the electricity that an air conditioner does.

dehumidifier
Dust or vacuum dehumidifier coils at least once per year, before you plug it in. If your unit is difficult to clean, check the owner's manual. If your dehumidifier is operating where the temperature is less than 70°F, check it occasionally to see if frost is building up on the coils. If frost has formed, turn the unit off until the frost melts & the room is warmer.

setback thermostat
Setback (programmable) thermostats can be used in the summer too. Set the temperature at about 78°F when you are home & higher during your sleep & work hours when you are away from home.

efficient products
Energy efficient showerheads, faucet aerators, pipe wrap on the first six to nine feet of pipe nearest to the water heater & a water heater tank wrap can conserve energy. The Efficiency Connection (888-603-5519) can help you find a contractor that may be able to install these items for you at a low, reduced cost.

daily chores
Delay heat & moisture producing chores until cooler parts of the day or evening. Try to limit dishwashing, laundering, cooking & washing floors on very hot days. They make your rooms more uncomfortable & require your air conditioner to work longer to remove the extra moisture or heat.