Saving energy & money Tips

Electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two cars. And as for the road, transportation accounts for 66% of all oil consumption. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to prevent energy loss and save money at home and in your car. Start making small changes today.

The key to achieving these savings in your home is a whole-house energy efficiency plan. To take a whole-house approach, view your home as an energy system with interdependent parts. For example, your heating system is not just a water boiler—it’s a heat-delivery system that starts at the boiler and delivers heat throughout your home using a network of ducts. Even a top-of-the-line, energy-efficient boiler will burn a lot of fuel if the ducts, walls, attic, windows, and doors are not insulated and leak.

Taking a whole-house approach to saving energy ensures that dollars you invest to save energy are spent wisely.

Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system.

• Use compact fluorescent light (energy saver) bulbs.

• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.

• Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.

• Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).

• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.

• Take short showers instead of baths.

• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

• Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving & speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes fuel.

• Buy energy efficient home appliances and products.