How to Save Energy By Controlling The Temperature in Your Home

Control your energy use by installing a programmable thermostat.

Conserving energy in your home reduces your monthly costs while benefiting the environment through lower carbon dioxide emissions. You can decrease the temperature on your water heater and thermostat, and you can change to smaller, energy-efficient appliances. Learning and applying energy-conscious methods within your home allows you to make a positive impact on your bills -- and nature.

Instructions

1. Reduce the temperature on your water heater thermostat to120 degrees Fahrenheit, particularly during warmer months. This setting still produces warm water while not wasting energy to heat the water to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cover air leaks around doors and windows using caulk or weather stripping to reduce temperature fluctuations inside your home. This prevents your furnace and air conditioner from overworking to adjust the interior temperature.

3. Clean your air conditioner and furnace air filters regularly to remove dust and debris. The harder these appliances have to work to draw in air through the filters, the more energy they use.

4. Program your thermostat to turn your air conditioner or furnace on at a certain times of the day when the outdoor temperature is coldest or warmest, such as early morning or night during the winter and midday during the summer.

5. Set your thermostat to turn your air conditioner on automatically when your home reaches about 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer and to turn your furnace on when temperatures reach about 65 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter, based on your tolerance for hot and cold temperatures.

6. Keep your thermostat turned off on moderate days when you can wear layers of clothing to stay warm or can open windows to let cool air circulate the house.

7. Turn your thermostat off to prevent wasting energy on heating or cooling your entire house, particularly if all house members are occupying one room. Place a space heater, fan or portable air conditioner in the room of occupancy.

8. Use your washer and dryer, dishwasher and oven sparingly during the summer. These appliances give off heat and will raise the temperature in the house causing the air conditioner to turn on.

Tips & Warnings

• Close the damper of your chimney to prevent air from entering your home when you are not using your wood stove.

References

• The Renewable Planet: Energy Conservation
• Eco Mall: 20 Things You Can Do To Save Energy