Resources

• Upgrade to ENERGY STAR appliances

  When purchasing new energy-efficient appliances and products for your home, look for the ENERGY STAR logo. This logo means that the item has been independently certified and has undergone extensive testing to ensure that it will save energy and perform as expected.

• Use smart power strips that prevent phantom power usage

  Electronic devices can still pull electricity when turned off but plugged in. The average U.S. household spends $100 per year to power devices that are “off.”  Unplug electronics devices such as computers, cell phone chargers, and small appliances when not in use or utilize an advanced power strip to completely disconnect the power supply from the source to avoid wasting energy and promote energy conservation.

• Learn more about how much energy garage/workshop equipment, compressed air tire inflator, medical equipment such as an oxygen tank, and a Level 1 EV Charger uses

  These can all add to your electric bill, and individual metering may help you better understand what each piece of equipment uses. Efficiency Smart offers a free meter loan program if you want to learn more about your equipment’s electricity usage.

• Regularly change or clean your air filters

  A dirty air filter will prevent adequate airflow through the unit. This can make your system work harder, causing more electric use.  Change the HVAC air filter when it is dirty, typically every three months or as frequently as recommended by the filter manufacturer. This will ensure that your system is working as intended and not costing you extra in energy costs.

• Upgrade to a smart or programmable thermostat

  If you haven’t already, consider purchasing a smart thermostat, or a programable thermostat and program it to automatically change the temperature at night, and around your occupancy habits. Efficiency Smart offers a rebate on certain models, which can be found on our website.

  If you have a smart or programmable thermostat, we recommend setting the temperature up four (or more) degrees in summer, and down four in the winter when no one is in the home (with the exception of Geothermal and heat pump systems; keep these at a consistent set point “Set & Forget”).  Less energy is used to bring a home to the temperature that you are comfortable with, than to maintain that temperature throughout the day while you aren’t home.

• Confirm that your thermostat was installed correctly

  If your thermostat wasn’t professionally installed, consult with an HVAC technician to confirm that it was done correctly. An incorrectly installed thermostat could lead to additional use of emergency or auxiliary heating, which will have a large effect on your bills.

• Keep all vents open

  Closing vents in unoccupied rooms will change the balance of your air conditioning and cause it to use more energy to regulate this balance. Central air units distribute air evenly, and changing this balance may cause pressure to build up and result in duct leaks and wasted energy

• Utilize ceiling fans for year-round savings

  Raise the temperature on your AC by four degrees in the summer while using a ceiling fan with no change in comfort. In the winter, set the fan to turn clockwise, and let it run on a low speed. This will force warmer air back down to occupied spaces. Remember to turn the fans off after you have left a room. Fans circulate conditioned air, but they don’t cool it. Leaving fans on in an empty home just wastes energy.

Air Conditioning

• Check the age of your air conditioner

  Air conditioning is the largest driver of electricity use in the hot summer months. The older the unit, the more likely it is using more energy to provide cooling, and things like filter replacement and preventative maintenance become more important (although both should be done regardless of unit age).

  New technology has allowed for much better control and efficiency. If comfort is not being met and your unit is older than ten years old, then consider upgrading your AC unit to a new more energy efficient system. There have been significant improvements over the past decade in efficiency levels of HVAC units. COP, SEER/EER/IEER, HSPF, AFUE are all efficiency ratings (the higher the better). A contractor will be able to assist them and verify that the selected unit meets those standards.  They can call Efficiency Smart if they have efficiency questions about a specific HVAC model or unit when they are ready to purchase.

• Get peak performance with annual AC maintenance

  If it has been a few years since a technician last looked at the system, we recommend calling a professional HVAC company to inspect your system. They will be able to tell if the system has an adequate refrigerant charge and is working properly. Poorly maintained systems will typically run less efficiently over time, which is why regular preventative maintenance is encouraged.

• Improve window AC performance

  If you have window AC units, make sure it has been properly installed and maintained. Clean the air filter, prevent conditioned air from leaking out by sealing any gaps around the unit, and verify the unit’s air intake is not obstructed. If you need to purchase a new unit, consider an Energy Star unit.

• Reduce heat gain from the sun

  Close window shades and drapes in the summer to keep the heat out.

• Don't adjust the thermostat to increase cooling speed

  Most HVAC systems run at a fixed speed and supply a fixed rate of cooling. This means that if you set your thermostat to 60 degrees or 70 degrees in the summer, the rate in which the HVAC unit cools the home remains the same, but much more energy will be used to make the home cooler at the 60 degree set point. Simply set the unit to the desired temperature or install an advanced thermostat and program it to begin cooling before you arrive home.

Heating

• Know your home’s heating source

  Heating is the largest energy user during winter months, and your fuel source (gas or electric) can make a big difference in your energy costs. Gas units are overall cheaper and more efficient to operate, but have a higher upfront cost to install, and require a home to be connected to gas lines. Electric units are cheaper to install (and heat pump technology is improving), but more expensive to run in the long-term.

  If you have a gas unit, please note that Efficiency Smart only offers incentives and services that focus on electric savings.  We recommend you also contact your gas provider for information on any potential programs, incentives that may be available to you. 

• Don't rely on electric resistance heating and space heaters

  Electric Resistance Heating is one of the most expensive ways to heat a home, as space heaters can add an additional $20 a month to your electric bill.

  We would recommend you contact an HVAC company to come by and review your heating system and recommend cost-effective alternatives. In the meantime, turn the temperature down as low as you comfortably can to save on your electric usage. Also, consider sealing around windows and doors to prevent heated air from leaking out of your home.

• Keep windows open during the day for solar heat gain

  Keep drapes open during winter daylight hours and then closed at night during cold weather.

• Use your thermostat wisely

  If your home uses a heat pump and you're wondering what thermostat setting is best for winter, set the thermostat at a moderate temperature when in heating mode and leave it there. Heat pumps heat most efficiently at a consistent temperature.

Fridges/Freezers

• Follow best practices for fridge efficiency

  • Place your fridge in a cool place
    Position your refrigerator away from a heat source such as an oven, a dishwasher, or direct sunlight from a window.
  • Allow air circulation behind the fridge
    Leave a few inches between the wall and the refrigerator, and keep the condenser coils clean if you have an older model. Read the user’s manual to learn how to safely clean coils. Coil cleaning brushes can be purchased at most hardware stores.
  • Check the door seals
    Make sure the refrigerator seals around the door are airtight. If not, replace them.
  • Keep the door closed
    Minimize the amount of time the refrigerator door is open.

• Avoid using multiple or old freezers and refrigerators

  Old freezers or coolers can consume a lot of energy, especially if they have been poorly maintained or are in an unconditioned area. If replacement is not an option, make sure coils are kept clean and the unit defrosted. If you are barely using it, you can save up to $150 annually by no longer running an old fridge or freezer.

Water Heating

• Check the performance of your heat pump water heater

  If your heat pump water heater is aging or not providing an adequate amount of hot water, consider calling a professional to check its performance. Backup electric resistance heating might be the only heat source being used, which can be costly.

• Consider a high-efficiency or tankless water heater

  Consider purchasing a high efficiency or tankless system if your existing unit if it is near the end of its life.

• Lower water usage with low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators

  Decrease the amount of water your tank has to keep warm with low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators. These items limit the amount of water used.

• Check your temperature

  You should also lower the temperature set point on your water heater to 120 degrees. Manufacturers often set it higher than necessary, but at 120 degrees your water is still at a safe temperature to prevent bacteria from growing, while also reducing your electric costs.

Lighting

• Replace high-use lightbulbs with ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs

  Replace any lightbulb you use for more than three hours a day with ENERGY STAR^® certified LEDs, which can save you $15 annually each. Replace the rest of your lightbulbs as they burn out.

Home Insulation and Sealing

• Ensure your home has adequate attic insulation

  In the average home, the insultation should completely cover the floor joists (or at least 6 inches, R38 or higher). Contact an insulation contractor for more information.

• Replace old windows with ENERGY STAR-certified models

  Replacing old windows with ENERGY STAR certified windows lowers household energy bills and provides comfort benefits, especially if you have single pane windows, as this can allow conditioned air to leak out from your home.

• Prevent drafts with weatherstripping and air sealing

  You can prevent drafts by using weather stripping and by sealing any leaks. Here is a helpful link from the Department of Energy for more information.

Laundry

• Save energy by washing with cold water when possible

  Hot water heating accounts for about 90 percent of the energy your machine uses to wash clothes. Newer detergents have been specifically designed for cold water use, and its performance is equal to or better than using hot water.

• Utilize sensor dry mode to prevent energy waste

  If your clothes dryer has this feature. This will save energy by turning the unit off once the clothes are dry, and prevent over drying, which can damage clothes. Remember to clean the lint trap after each use as well.