Heating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems account for about 40% of your electric bill and can lead to significant increases during periods of extreme weather. Follow our tips and recommended settings to help conserve energy and reduce costs. 

• During warm weather, set your thermostat to 78° F. During extreme heat consider raising it a few degrees to allow your AC unit to cycle off.
• Use ceiling fans during warmer months to help keep you cool. Fans can make you feel up to four degrees cooler. Remember to turn them off when you leave the room.
• During cold weather, set your thermostat to 68° F. Only increase the temperature 1-2° at a time to prevent heat strips from turning on. 
• Avoid using heat strips to heat your home. They require a lot of energy to run and can cause unexpected bill spikes. Learn more.  
• Install a programmable or smart thermostat.
• Set the fan setting on your thermostat to auto. It can create more moisture in your home and make it feel warmer if it’s left on.
• Do not block air vents or returns and keep the exterior portion of your heating and cooling unit free of blockage and debris so your unit can run as efficiently as possible.
• Change air handler filters monthly or as needed. Most filters are designed to last 30 days, but some may be longer. 
• Schedule maintenance on your heating and cooling system bi-annually to ensure it’s running properly and as efficiently as possible.
• If you need to replace your heating and cooling system, consider a high-efficiency ENERGY STAR® Certified model.
• Ensure your attic and walls have proper insulation and are sealed to keep warm air out and cool air in.

Household appliances are some of the biggest energy users in homes, which is why we recommend choosing high-efficiency ENERGY STAR® certified models. By following our simple tips, you can maximize the performance of your appliances while keeping your energy costs down.

Dishwasher

• Only run your dishwasher when it is full, the same amount of water and electricity is used no matter how full it is.
• Use the air-dry option if available or use a rag to wipe dishes dry after they have been cleaned. 
• If available, use the energy-saving cycle to shorten wash time and save water.

Washer and Dryer

• Wash full loads of laundry using cold water.
• Use the quick wash or small load setting when appropriate. These options will shorten run times and use less water.
• Clean the dryer lint trap before each use so air can flow easily.
• Clean your dryer exhaust line and ensure it’s tightly connected and not kinked or compressed.
• Do not overload your dryer.
• Use the moisture sensor option when drying clothes to avoid over drying.
• Consider air drying your clothes. 

Refrigerator

• Open and close your refrigerator door as needed, avoid leaving it open while loading groceries.
• Keep your freezer as full as possible, a full freezer helps maintain the cold temperature and will reduce your freezer's workload.
• Check the rubber seals on your refrigerator and freezer doors, if cold air is seeping out of dry or cracked seals the refrigerator will need to run more to keep the inside contents cold. 

Water Heater

• Insulate water heater and supply pipes. 
• Set your water heater to 120°F.
• Turn water heater off when leaving home for two or more days.
• Consider adding a water heater timer that turns your water heater off at night or during times you don’t use it.

Cooktop and Oven

• Consider using a crock-pot, microwave or outdoor grill instead of an oven. They use less electricity and add less heat to your kitchen.
• When preparing several dishes, try cooking them in the oven at the same time to save energy and time.
• Use the proper size pan while cooking on your stovetop. Heat is wasted if you are using a pan that’s smaller than the burner.

Lighting your home can use a significant amount of energy, especially if you aren’t using energy-efficient bulbs. Our lighting tips will not only help you reduce your consumption, they’ll also help you increase your savings.

• Use LED or compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Use motion-sensing light controls to limit run time of exterior light fixtures. 
• Use solar lighting outdoors to light doorsteps and walkways.
• Turn off lights when you are not in the room.