Energy Conservation

General indoor conservation

  • Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. For example, use it to water your indoor plants or garden.
  • Fix dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water a year.
  • Check all plumbing for leaks and have any leaks repaired by a plumber.
  • Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors.
  • Insulate your water pipes to reduce heat loss and prevent them from breaking.
  • Choose appliances that are more energy and water efficient.
  • When you are home and awake, set the thermostat as low as is comfortable. When you are asleep or out of the house, turn the thermostat up/down a few degrees to save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. 
  • Seal leaks around your home. Use caulk, foam spray, or weather-stripping to fix air leaks around doors and windows. 
  • Turning on a fan when you're in a room can make you feel up to 4 degrees cooler without having to adjust your thermostat.
  • Close your blinds during the day to prevent the sun from heating your home in the summer. Open your blinds during the winter to have the sun help heat your home.  
  • Check to see that all supply and return air vents are fully open and unblocked by furniture or rugs to help your air conditioning system run efficiently. 

Bathroom

  • Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.
  • Take short showers instead of baths. Turn on the water only to get wet and lather and then again to rinse off.
  • Avoid letting the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.
  • Check for leaks. Leaky faucets in the sink or shower can waste 10 to 20 gallons of water a day. 
  • Remember to unplug hair dryers, battery chargers and other bathroom tools when you're done using them to prevent phantom power drain. 

Laundry

  • Operate clothes washers only when they are fully loaded or set the water level for the size of your load.
  • Use the cold setting. Most of the energy used by a clothes washer goes toward heating the water. 
  • Clean the lint trap before every use. It will improve air circulation and dryer efficiency.  
  • Dry clothes outside when possible. Air is free and easier on your clothes than tumbling in a dryer. 
  • Using dryer balls will help keep clothes separated for faster drying. 
  • Use the high-speed or extended spin cycle in the washer. This setting will remove more moisture before drying, reducing your drying time and the extra wear on clothing.

Energy-Saving Tip of the Month

Kitchen

  • Operate automatic dishwashers only when they are fully loaded. Use the "light wash" feature to use less water.

  • Hand wash dishes by filling two containers—one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach. 

  • Clean vegetables in a pan filled with water rather than running water from the tap. 

  • Avoid wasting water waiting for it to get hot. Capture it for other uses such as plant watering or heat it on the stove or in a microwave. 

  • Don't rinse dishes before placing them in the dishwasher, just remove large particles of food.

  • Avoid using running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave.

  • You can use 80% less energy by using your microwave for small portions. 

  • Vacuum your refrigerator coils. Dust builds up on coils, and the coils are critical to pushing heat out, so removing dust and dirt will allow the unit to keep cool. 

  • The pot's size should match the burner's size to avoid wasting heat. 

  • Setting the refrigerator thermostat at the recommended temperature settings, 37-40°F for the fridge and 5°F for the freezer, will help optimize energy savings, while keeping food fresh.

  • Avoid your oven in warm months. Cooking with an oven can add unwanted heat to your house, forcing your AC to work harder. 

  • A well-stocked refrigerator uses less energy because there's less air to cool. Keep your refrigerator full without overfilling. 

  • Covering pots and pans on the stove top helps food cook faster and saves energy. 

General Outdoor Conservation

Lawn Care

  • A heavy rain eliminates the need for watering for up to two weeks. Most of the year, lawns only need one inch of water per week.
  • Check the soil moisture levels with a soil probe, spade, or large screwdriver. You don't need to water if the soil is still moist. If your grass springs back when you step on it, it doesn't need water yet.
  • If your lawn does require watering, do so early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.
  • Water in several short sessions rather than one long one, for your lawn to better absorb moisture and avoid runoff.
  • Use a broom or blower instead of a hose to clean leaves and other debris from your driveway or sidewalk.
  • Avoid leaving sprinklers or hoses unattended. A garden hose can pour out 600 gallons or more in only a few hours.
  • In extreme drought, allow lawns to die in favor of preserving trees and large shrubs.
Photo of running lawn sprinkler

Car Washing

  • Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.
  • If you wash your own car, use a shut-off nozzle that can be adjusted down to a fine spray on your hose.

other helpful energy efficiency links