Things You'll Need:
- Mastic Sealant
- Duct Tape
- Energy-saving Showerheads
- Fluorescent Lightbulbs
- Water Heater Blankets
- Duct Tape
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Step 1
Use the dishwasher only when you have full loads. Set it to 140 degrees F or "normal."
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Step 2
Open the refrigerator only when necessary.
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Step 3
Clean the refrigerator coils, located in the back or bottom of the refrigerator, regularly.
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Step 4
Be sure to defrost refrigerators and freezers before ice buildup becomes 1/4-inch thick.
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Step 5
Cook on range-top burners instead of in the oven whenever possible.
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Step 6
Plan meals so that you can cook and bake several items at once.
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Step 7
Preheat as little as possible.
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Step 1
Wash clothes only when you have a full load.
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Step 2
Use cold water whenever possible in operating the washer.
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Step 3
Clean the lint trap in the dryer after each use.
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Step 4
Consider line drying laundry instead of using the dryer on warm days.
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Step 1
Install flow restrictors or low-flow showerheads and faucets.
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Step 2
Set your water heater to 120 degrees F or "low."
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Step 3
Wrap your water heater with a water heater blanket to cut down on water heating costs.
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Step 4
Check for and repair any holes in your ceiling, floor, windows, walls, roof, pipes and plumbing.
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Step 5
Repair dripping faucets.
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Step 6
Wrap heating and cooling ducts with duct tape or mastic sealant.
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Step 7
Turn off lights whenever you aren't using them.
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Step 8
Close windows when heating or cooling.
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Step 9
Replace incandescent lightbulbs with fluorescent bulbs. They provide the same quality and amount of light, but fluorescent bulbs use less energy and last longer.
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Step 10
Set the furnace thermostat at 68 degrees F or lower in the winter, and the air conditioner at 78 degrees or higher in the summer.
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Step 11
Shut off or turn down automatic appliances when going on an extended trip.
Comments
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woot said
on 4/16/2009 Thanks for your article about saving energy year round. I agree that the way to approach this is do a lot of things on a regular basis, not just some big items once in a while.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 When you're not using your appliances, unplug them! Remember to unplug the toasters, cellphone chargers, you name it. When you don't unplug them, they're still taking the energy.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Consider using electrical or duct tape around windows.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 When I was growing up, my grandmother always kept floor rugs tucked at the bottom of the front and back doors to keep drafts out of the house.