Energy Conservation Tips
WMS Top Ten List - Electricity Conservation Tips
Limit use of Electric Space Heaters
Limit use of freestanding or in-wall space heaters to short periods of time. Electric space heat can cost as much as 25 percent more than fossil fuel heat. Due to the high energy required, the use of extension cords with space heaters is not recommended. Also to avoid fire hazard, electric heater power cords should never be placed under a carpet or rug to be hidden from view.
Lower the thermostat
In homes with individual electric heat controls in each room, thermostat settings should be checked against a thermometer to see if they are calibrated correctly. Incorrectly calibrated thermostats may result in higher settings than necessary and increased electric usage. To maximize savings, consider lowering the heat temperature during sleeping hours as well. The same goes for raising the temperature during the air conditioning season. Depending on individual preferences, setting the thermostat back five degrees in the heating season, or up five-degrees in the air conditioning months, can result in significant savings. You can also save money on central air conditioning by using an automatic programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can control the temperature of your home during non-occupancy hours, thus reducing your energy bill. It can be programmed to shut off the air conditioning system after you leave your home and turn it back on before you return. Maintaining constant pre-determined settings is advised for best results.
For homes using Geothermal Energy Systems, it is not recommended that the thermostat be raised and lowered. Pick a comfortable temperature and let the system maintain it.
Improve water heater efficiency
Electric water heaters have two thermostats and two doors that provide access to the settings. For efficient operation, both thermostats should be set at the same temperature. However, before performing this check, be sure to turn the power off to the water heater or have a qualified technician do it for you. For conservation purposes and safety reasons, the temperature should not be set higher than 120 degrees. You may also wish to have a timer installed that will automatically shut off the heater during periods of non-use, such as during the nighttime sleeping hours. The timer will turn on your heater at the most convenient time to allow enough time to have hot water available to you.
Air Leaks and Insulation
Seal air leaks and insulate your home properly so your energy dollars don’t seep through the cracks.
Eliminate drips
If you heat water with electricity, check your kitchen and bathroom faucets for hot water drips. This type of water loss is particularly expensive, because you are paying for the water and the electricity to heat that water. For best results, inspect and replace all washers on drippy faucets. It is also important to check the safety valve on your electric water heater for drips. A small leak can lose thousands of gallons of heated water over the course of one month.
Read the label to spot energy guzzlers
In certain circumstances, even small appliances, such as the heater on a child's aquarium, can be a big energy draw. To find out, check the rating on the aquarium heater. A small 100-watt heater can use about two and one half kilowatts of electricity per day. Even with low WMS electricity rates, it will cost about $4.50 per month to run that aquarium heater twenty-four hours a day. Keep in mind, too, aquarium heaters operate in relation to room and water temperature. The colder the room, the longer the heater operates, the higher the cost.
Keep appliances in good repair
If you have purchased a new refrigerator or freezer, safely dispose of the old one. It can cost up to three times more to operate an older refrigerator or freezer than a newer model. A new unit may cost as little as $2.50 per month to operate, as opposed to $10 per month with an older model. If you have an older model still in use, check the seals by closing the door on a sheet of paper. The door should have a snug hold on the paper as you pull it out. If you plan to keep your older model refrigerator, you could save money by replacing the seals. Remember to keep the area behind the refrigerator or freezer clear and at least four inches from the wall. This will allow heat that is being removed from the unit to dissipate into the room making the unit more efficient. Do not place a refrigerator or freezer in a hot garage or other unconditioned area. The hotter the air around it, the harder it has to work to keep things cold resulting in higher electricity use.
Maintain minimal operation to do the job
Some common kitchen appliances can actually consume more power than one would presume. A simple coffee maker for example can draw up to 1400 watts. If it operates for about 4 hours per day, that can add up to $10.20 per month. It is wise to check all thermostatically controlled appliances to see how many hours they may actually be operating, versus how may hours they really need to operate. Basement dehumidifiers are often overlooked. A dehumidifier operating at 600 watts can cost up to $13.00 per month if it operates twelve hours per day. For best results, dehumidifiers should be operated at a setting that removes moisture while maintaining minimal operation. Find the de-humidification setting that does the job at minimal cost.
Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescents
You can save money by using the most appropriate light bulb for the job. Check the wattage on your light bulbs and replace them with the lowest setting that will provide adequate lighting for the particular area. If possible, it is worth it in terms of maintenance and energy savings to replace an incandescent light bulb with energy saving CFL (compact fluorescent light bulbs) or the next generation, LED (Light Emitting Diode) light bulbs.
Incandescent light bulbs waste 90% of their energy to produce 10% usable light. Dimmer switches do not work with CFLs but will with LEDs. Check the rating on the package before you buy, and make sure your light fixture will accommodate the bulb. Most energy-saving bulbs have now been re-designed to fit conventional fixtures.
Use timers and light sensors for increased security and cost savings
Timers can be a valuable tool to give your home an occupied look for safety. They can also be used to automatically shut off unnecessary lighting and save you money. Occupancy sensors can be used to automatically turn-on a light when someone enters a room and shut off the light when occupants leave the room.
