Bring Energy Efficiency Home with These Tips
Efficient appliances aren’t the only way to cool off your energy use. Try these tips to save even more:
- Cook with your grill or microwave to keep your home cooler
- Give your air conditioner a rest when you can and cool your home with open windows and fans
- Replace your incandescent light bulbs with more efficient LEDs
- Close your blinds to keep out the afternoon heat
- Plug home electronics into power strips and turn off power strips when equipment is not in use
- Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they aren’t in use
- Give your dryer a break and hang-dry your clothes
- Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and to 85 degrees or “off” when you are away
For more energy-saving tips, visit our Home Energy Guide.
For water-saving tips that help reduce energy waste, visit saveourh2o.org.
Looking to Stay Cool During High Temperatures?
During the summer months, our Cool Center program provides safe, air-conditioned facilities where you can relax from the heat and avoid running your own cooling device at home.
Helpful Energy Management Tools
Financial Assistance
Need help paying your bill? We have several financial assistance programs that can help you manage your limited resources and reduce your energy use.
Rate Options
Your home, the size of your family, your schedule and your lifestyle all play a part in determining your electricity needs. We have rate options designed to accommodate household variations.
Energy Management Center
Manage your energy use with smart products, programs and tools by visiting the Energy Management Center.
Home Energy Guzzler
What's eating your energy? Is it the A/C? That extra fridge in the garage? The clothes dryer?
Evaporative Cooler
Don’t run an air conditioner and an evaporative cooler at the same time! You’ll make your air conditioner work twice as hard to get rid of the humidity produced by the cooler. Also, clean and replace filters frequently to get the most cooling for your money. Rebate
Refrigerator
Check and clean the coils regularly, especially during the summer. Also, make sure your refrigerator and freezer doors seal airtight. One way to check this is to close a dollar bill or piece of paper in the door. If it pulls out easily, your refrigerator may need a door hinge adjustment or a new gasket. Learn More >
Dishwasher
Run your dishwasher only when full, and use your dishwasher's automatic energy-savings cool-dry cycle. If your dishwasher doesn't have this feature, turn it off after the final rinse and let the dishes air dry. This can reduce energy usage by 40%.
Portable Heater
Choose a heater that has been certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory and that has a tip-over switch. Make sure your heater is at least three feet away from curtains, chairs, firewood, walls and anything else that can catch fire. If you must use an extension cord, make sure it’s marked with a power rating at least as high as your heater.
Clothes Dryer
Dry lightweight and heavy clothes separately for more energy-efficient drying. Always clean the lint filter before every load. Remember to dry full loads without overloading, and you’ll use less electricity.
Central Air Conditioner
Do you know, you’ll get more out of your A/C by regularly cleaning or replacing your air conditioner's filter? Closing drapes and shades keeps direct sunlight from heating your home and lowers cooling costs. Or instead of relying on your air conditioner, use a portable or ceiling fan to circulate air. It uses less energy and costs less money.
Pool Pump
Try setting it between 4 and no more than 6 hours. Also, an older power-hungry single-speed model may be costing you more money. Save even more with a two-speed or variable-speed pool pump. Replacement Program >
Electric Stove
You can also save money by using microwave and toaster ovens, slow cookers, and electric skillets instead of larger ovens and stoves.
