Energy Saving Tips Minor changes to how one uses energy can amount to important savings when it comes to your energy bill! Here is an energy saving guide for both homeowners and renters on how to save energy and lower your electricity bill!
Energy Saving Tips for Homeowners Lower your thermostat at night, when you are not home, or in rooms that are unoccupied. Close off heating vents in rooms you don’t use. Clean and replace air filters once a month or when needed. Upgrade kitchen appliances to Energy Star labeled products. If your appliances are older than 10 years, you have a very high chance of saving up to 30% on your energy bill just by replacing them with newer, energy saving appliances. Make sure baseboard heaters, radiator or heat vents are not blocked by furniture or drapes. Wash only full loads of dishes and cancel dry heating on each load. Wash clothes in cold or warm water – this will not only improve stain removal but will also help to keep your energy bill under control. Lower your hot water temperature and make sure you insulate hot water heaters and hot water pipes to prevent heat loss. Switch incandescent light bulbs to energy saving light bulbs and flood lights. Unplug electrical appliances when not in use. To find out how you can get paid to save on energy, click on the “Energy Tax Credit” page. Energy Saving Tips for Renters Ask your lease management company or landlord to have air filters checked and replaced. Wash only full loads of dishes and cancel the heated drying option. Unplug electrical appliances when not in use. Never switch your thermostat on and off, and set it 10 degrees lower at night and when you are away than when you are at home. Clean air vents and make sure no furniture is blocking them. Replace your regular light bulbs with energy efficient Energy Star labeled light bulbs. Make sure you monitor the efficiency of kitchen appliances – let your landlord or lease office know of any strange sounds that your refrigerator, air conditioning or dishwasher make since their malfunctioning can increase your energy bill. (South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger, Elkhart, Edwardsburg, Niles) |