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Home Energy Saving Tips
Look around your home. There are simple things you can do to save money on your electric bill. We encourage you to select one of the topics below if you are interested in saving energy and money at home. Remember that when it comes to saving, every bit counts!
Please note that the savings referenced are for a typical household. In addition, the savings percentages apply only to the category of energy use. For example, using fluorescent lamps saves 30 to 38 percent of your lighting bill, not your total electric bill. The figures cannot be added to find your total savings.
 Reduce Phantom Load
Many appliances continue to draw power when they are switched off. These "phantom" loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. In the average home, 75% of electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. The recommended method for finding phantom loads is turning off all lights at night and looking for any LEDs or other glows in the house. Any device that requires resetting after a blackout or power surge is a cause of phantom load.
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Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
CFLs can give the same amount and quality of light as incandescent bulbs, yet use one-third the amount of energy and last ten times longer. A CFL can save over $30 in electricity costs over the lamp’s lifetime compared to an incandescent bulb and save 2000 times their own weight in green house gases.
More Lighting Tips...
 Heating and Insulating Your Home
Turning down the Thermostat:
By turning down the thermostat by 1 degree F, you could save 25-30 gallons of heating oil per year. That’s up to 3% of an average homes yearly consumption of heating oil or between $79-$95 per year at the current average rate of heating oil ($3.17/gallon).
Turn down your thermostat when the house is unoccupied, down to 55 degrees. It takes about 1 hour to heat average house to desired temperature and it is a common myth that turning the thermostat down makes you burn more heating oil in warming up the house again. During the day when you are at home, setting your thermostat to 68 degrees is a comfortable maximum temperature and at night around 60 degrees.
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 Use Cold Wash and Don’t Over Dry Clothes
Use lower temperature settings on your washing machine, preferably the cold water cycle, and only use cold for rinses. The temperature of the rinse water does not affect cleaning. Load the washing machine to capacity. Washing one large load will take less energy than washing two loads on a low or medium setting. When you don't have a full load, match the water level to the size of the load. Don't over-dry clothes that you are going to iron. Take clothes out of the dryer while they are still slightly damp to reduce the need for ironing - another big energy user. Over-drying can cause shrinkage, generates static electricity, and shortens fabric life. If you have room, you can also "hang your clothes out" to dry.
 Use Smallest Pans
Use the smallest pan necessary to do the job. Smaller surfaces require less energy. Match the pan size to the element size. For example, a 6" pan on an 8" burner can waste over 40% of the heat produced by the burner. Don't preheat your oven, and use the smaller of the two ovens if you have a dual unit. Cook complete meals of several dishes simultaneously in the oven.
More Appliance & Other Products Tips...
Efficiency Maine Energy Facts
- During 2003 – 2005, the Efficiency Maine Program saved home owners, schools, and businesses more than 121 million kilowatt hours (kWh) with a lifetime economic benefit to the state of $86.6 million.
- In 2006, Efficiency Maine saved more than 74 million kWh, which helped avert the production of more than 320,000 tons of carbon dioxide, a major pollutant contributing to global warming. These savings are equivalent to the annual electricity use of nearly 11,000 homes in Maine and the carbon pollution reduction of taking 7,624 cars off the road.
Efficiency Maine is a statewide effort to promote the more efficient use of electricity, help Maine residents and businesses reduce electricity costs and improve Maine’s environment. It was created in 2002 by the Maine Legislature with the passing of “An Act to Strengthen Energy Conservation.” For more information on the annual report or energy efficiency, visit the PUC’s Efficiency Maine website at efficiencymaine.com or call 1-866-ESMAINE.
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Public
Utilities Commission