| Substantial savings on heating and cooling costs can be enjoyed if you follow some simple tips. Click here to request a complete US Department of Energy book on energy savers.
- Visit Touchstone Energy's Savers site to learn fun, interesting and easy ways to safe energy.
- Replace standard incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Learn more about CFLs.
- Check to ensure your home or business is adequately insulated.
- Insulate attic, heating and air conditioning ducts, water pipes, and outside walls.
- Maintain reasonable indoor temperatures (68 degrees in the winter, 78 degrees in the summer).
- Set your water heater thermostat at 125 degrees (if you have an electric dishwasher, set it at 140 degrees). Typically, water heaters account for about 20% of your annual electric bill.
- Close the doors of unoccupied rooms isolated from the rest of the house.
- Fix leaky faucets. Even a slow drip wastes hot water.
- Reduce hot water use; don't let hot water run when you're not using it.
- Purchase ENERGY STAR® rated appliances (rebates available from REA)
- Operate your washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher with full loads.
- Check the wiring of your home electric system to make sure that it is adequate. An overworked system is inefficient and hazardous.
- Inspect and clean heating systems annually. If your home has central air, clean/replace air filters frequently.
- Caulk and weather-strip windows and doors.
- Close fireplace dampers when fireplace is not in use.
- Turn off TV and lights when not in use.
- Use energy efficient light bulbs.
- Defrost freezer frequently so no more than one-half inch of frost builds up.
- Use a timer when baking to minimize opening oven.
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