Energy Savings Tips
Consumer Tips on Ways to Save at Home
No-Cost or Low Cost Tips
- Lower your heating or raise your cooling thermostat at night or whenever the house is unoccupied. Close off and do not heat or cool unoccupied rooms (unless you have a heat pump). If you consistently set your thermostat up or down depending on the season by 10 degrees (F) during the night, you can reduce your heating / cooling bill by 10-20 percent.
- Lower the thermostat and dress warmer. As little as 1 to 3 degrees (F) makes a difference during the heating season.
- Set refrigerator temperatures between 37 and 40 degrees (F). Clean the coils. Keep the refrigerator stocked; it takes more energy to cool an empty fridge.
- Turn off and safely store or dispose of extra refrigerators, especially if older than 10 years. They can use over 3 times the energy of newer models.
- Wash full loads of dishes and air dry.
- When washing clothes, use warm or cold water to wash and rinse with cold water. Air dry clothes.
- Shut off lights, computers and other electronic appliances when you're not using them.
- Use a microwave or toaster oven for smaller items.
- Install a low-flow showerhead. Showers use less hot water than baths.
- Close your fireplace damper and close the opening shut when not in use.
- Open south-facing window coverings (e.g. drapes, blinds, etc.) during the day. Close all window coverings at night to keep the heat in when heating.
- Install gaskets behind electric-outlet and switch-plate covers.
- Replace furnace filters. The dirtier they are, the harder the furnace fan works.
Tips that cost a little more, but usually pay for themselves in two years or less
- Install an automatic setback thermostat that adjusts temperature according to your daily schedule.
- Install do-it-yourself weather-stripping and caulking.
- Install do-it-yourself storm windows that cost less than $1/sq.ft., such as flexible vinyl glazing.
- Use motion sensors for outdoor lighting. You'll still have security and save energy.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs in common areas (where lights are on most of the time) with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). They use about a quarter of the energy.
- Replace the halogen torchiere floor lamp with a CFL model. They're safer, use 70 percent less electricity and produce as much, if not more, light.
- Tune up the furnace annually.
- Add water heater tank and hot water pipe insulation especially if in an unheated space. Do not cover the thermostat or, for natural gas models, the air inlets.
Home energy improvements that pay for themselves in two to five years
- Increase attic insulation to R-38 (the current requirement for new homes).
- Insulate floors over unheated spaces to R-19.
- Insulate and seal ducts in attics, crawl spaces, garages and other unheated areas.
- Install do-it-yourself storm windows that cost less than $3/sq.ft., such as rigid acrylic glazing.
- Perform low-cost fireplace modifications, such as flue-top damper or inexpensive glass doors.
Home improvements that take more than five years to pay for themselves
- When it is time to replace a home appliance, purchase an energy-efficient model. These appliances cost more initially, but you will save both money and energy over its entire life. An appliance that is cheaper to purchase will have higher operating costs, and savings you will accumulate from using an Energy Star appliance will be substantial. See the Energy Star website at www.energystar.gov for more information on home products. Energy Star offers businesses and consumers energy efficient solutions -- helping to save money while protecting the environment for future generations. ENERGY STAR was introduced by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products, in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. EPA partnered with the US Department of Energy in 1996 to promote the ENERGY STAR label, with each agency taking responsibility for particular product categories. ENERGY STAR has expanded to cover new homes, most of the buildings sector, residential heating and cooling equipment, major appliances, office equipment, lighting, consumer electronics, and more.
- Energy Star clothes washers save energy, water, and detergent.
- Energy Star windows only cost a small amount more than standard windows, save energy and increase comfort.
- Look for and purchase Energy Star-labeled electronic goods, and lighting bulbs and fixtures.
- Add do-it-yourself insulated (quilted) window covers (minimum R-3 and costing less than $5/sq.ft.) or install blinds, drapes or other window coverings.
- Wall insulation should be added when the space is made accessible during home remodeling.
- Furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioning and water heaters all have high efficiency models available and should be considered when replacing these appliances.
- Invest in commercially installed storm windows or insulated glass.
- Replace conventional oil burner (oil furnace) with a more efficient flame-retention burner.
- Install a fireplace insert and wood stove in the fireplace.
- Install a solar water heater.
- Evaluate electric heat pump when replacing gas or resistance heat home heating.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources Energy Center
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