Electric Conservation Tips

Have you done all you can to make your apartment as energy efficient as possible? Please review the checklist and see if there's something YOU can do to help save on your electric bill.

Increasing your average thermostat setting by 1.5 degrees in summer and reducing your average thermostat setting by 1.5 degrees in winter will reduce your electric consumption by 5 - 6 percent.
Lower the temperature on your water heater to 115 degrees.
Use ceiling fans and room fans only in occupied rooms. There is no benefit of running ceiling fans when the heat is on - it actually uses more energy.
Use curtains, shades and blinds to block the sun's rays from directly entering the home.
Use the cold water setting on your washing machine.
Clean or replace HVAC filters regularly.
Change your incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. A 15 watt fluorescent bulb provides as much light as a 60 watt standard bulb. They last 10 times longer and use 75 percent less energy.
Put your computer on "sleep mode."
Buy energy efficient appliances and use them efficiently.

Live an Energy Efficient Lifestyle

Light only the area where you are working, not the whole room.
Turn off lights and appliances when they are not being utilized.
Close vents in rooms that are not being used on a regular basis and close the door.
Run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines.
Choose stove burner to fit the size of the pan you are using.

During Cold Weather

Open window shades that receive direct sunlight during the day.
Close shades at night.
Set the thermostat at 68 degrees and lower the setting a few degrees at night, or when home is unoccupied.
Wear layers of clothing and use extra blankets.
Keep fireplace chimney dampers closed when not using the fireplace.

During Hot Weather

Leave window shades that receive direct sunlight down during the day.
Try to use the oven, dishwasher and other appliances that produce heat during the late evening and early morning.
Set the thermostat no lower than 78 degrees and turn it up a few degrees when the house is unoccupied.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.
Keep fireplace chimney dampers closed.

Other Conservation Tips

There are many ways to beat the heat and humidity of summer while not wasting energy, energy dollars, or straining the electric system. When you are not home, for example, either turn off your air conditioner or at least set the temperature higher. Turn off fans, lights, computers, and other appliances when you're away. Use clotheslines to dry clothes and towels.

Here are some additional ways to save:

Use draperies, blinds, or awnings on the sunny side of your home to shut out heat.
Use dryers, ovens, and other heat-producing appliances in the morning or evening.
Cool, don't freeze. Set your air conditioning level at a slightly higher temperature. Each degree you move your thermostat equals savings.
Microwave ovens cook without adding heat to a room. Use stove burners instead of ovens for cooking.
Install low-flow showerheads and faucets.
Tighten leaky faucets and hoses.
Wash full loads of clothes using cold water. If possible, hang clothes out to dry.
Unplug extra refrigerators and freezers that may be used occasionally for drinks and ice.
Only open refrigerator and freezer doors when necessary. Keep the coils clean.
Shorten the operating time or install timers for pool filters and automatic pool vacuums.
Ventilate high-moisture areas. Humid air feels warmer than dry air. Use exhaust fans, if you have them, to move air from bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas.
Use dimmer switches or timers on lights.
Caulk or use weather stripping around windows, doors, pipes, ducts, and electric receptacles and boxes.
Close vents in rooms that don't need cooling.
Install storm or thermal windows. They keep cool air inside.
Repair any holes in the roof, walls, doors, ceilings, windows, and floors.
Set your water-heater thermostat to 120 degrees (140 degrees if you use a dishwasher).
Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. They can give the same quality and quantity of light while using one-third the energy -- and they last 10 times longer.