Summer Energy Saving Tips
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from Energy Outreach Colorado
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Consejos Para Ahorrar Energia en el Invjerno (en Espaņol)
Insulate: Insulating attics and walls, as well as weatherizing doors and windows, is key to preventing conditioned air from escaping your home.
Cool With Fans: Using as little energy as a 100-watt light bulb, ceiling fans are an easy and energy efficient way to keep things cool.
Plant Trees: `Tis the season for home improvements. Plant deciduous (leafy) trees near south and west-facing windows. They'll shade your home during the warm, summer months and when the leaves fall off in the winter they'll allow sun to heat your home.
Shades & Windows: Close shades (curtains & blinds) and windows during the day to help keep the sun's rays from penetrating your home and heating it up. At night, open windows opposite one another for cross-ventilation, allowing the evening breezes to cool your home.
Lights: Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which emit less heat and cut your lighting costs in half. CFLs also last seven to ten times longer than an incandescent bulb.
Refrigerator: Resist the urge to stand in front of the refrigerator with the door open. The refrigerator is one of the most energy-consuming appliances in the home; less time with the door open means less energy spent keeping your food at a cooler temperature.
Air Conditioning: Keep your thermostat at 78 degrees instead of 73 degrees and save up to five percent on your energy bill.
Keep Filters Clean: Vacuum or replace refrigerated air filters once a month during the cooling season. Easy airflow means more efficient use of your cooling dollars.
Dishwasher: Use the "no heat" option for your drying cycle and run it only when it's fully loaded. A hot dishwasher will warm your home and increase your electricity bill at the same time.
Clothes Dryer: Running the clothes dryer produces heat. Use the dryer at night when temperatures outside are cooler, which will help keep the temperature in your home down.
