When cooling your home, set the thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Each degree below adds 8 to 12 percent to the cooling costs.- When heating your home, set the thermostat at 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Since heating costs three times more than cooling, consider using a space heater or electric blanket.
- While away from home for more than two hours, set the thermostat at 83 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Install a programmable thermostat that will automatically raise and lower the temperature at certain times of the day.
- Be sure your thermostat is set on the “auto” setting. This is more economical for temperature and humidity control.
- Do not close A/C vents or interior doors when A/C is running.
- Service your air conditioning system annually.
- Repair duct leaks using metal foil tape reinforced with mastic adhesive.
- Check the attic for areas where insulation is missing or may have been moved during repairs or cable installation.
- Change or clean filters monthly.
- Keep windows and exterior doors closed when running your air conditioner or heater. Also, use caulk and weather strip around windows and doors.
- Do not locate refrigerators/freezers in a garage or other non-air conditioned space.
- Refrigerators should be maintained at 36 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit, while freezers should be maintained from 0 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Full freezers use less power. Use plastic soda bottles filled with water, or bags of ice, if necessary. Keep refrigerators full when leaving your home vacant for a long period of time.
- Test your refrigerator door gasket with a crisp dollar bill. A good gasket will hold the bill in place.
- Replacing standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and use 75 percent less energy.
- Turn off fans when the room is not occupied. Each continuously running fan costs approximately $7 per month on your electric bill.
- Run pool pumps for a maximum of 8 hours a day in the summer, and 6 hours per day in the winter, unless you are heating the pool.
- Install reflective window tint/film that will reflect 65 percent or better on windows facing east, west or south. LCEC also recommends installing awnings, storm shutters and planting shade trees.
- Reduce water heating costs by installing a low-flow shower head, setting the water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, or installing a Heat Recovery Unit (HRU), which will heat water at no cost when the A/C is running.
- Use a minimum of R-30 insulation in the ceiling/attic floor to save on heating and air conditioning costs.
Tips from LCEC