Declare Your Energy Independence

Fireworks, cookouts, parades and… energy efficient technology. Declare your energy independence. There are many simple ways to become more energy efficient, saving both energy and money.

Reduce Heat

Reducing the heat in your house can help you stay cool in the summer. Reduce heat gain by keeping windows and blinds closed during the day to keep cooler air inside. Open windows in the evening and early in the morning to allow cooler air in. At night, consider using fans to draw in cooler night air. Open windows on opposite sides of the house for cross-ventilation. Wait to do dish washing, baking, or doing laundry, until the cooler evening hours.

Buy ENERGY STAR

If you are still not comfortable and you are going to buy a room air conditioner, look for the ENERGY STAR® label. ENERGY STAR® room air conditioners exceed minimum federal standards for energy consumption by at least 10%. Room air conditioners work best when kept out of direct sunlight. Install them near shady trees or on the north side of the house whenever possible. Seal gaps along the sides of your air conditioner to keep warm, outside air out.

Purchase LED Light Bulbs

Use Light Emitting Diods (LEDs) if it is time to replace a lightbulb. These high-efficiency bulbs can provide the same amount and quality of light as incandescent bulbs. LEDs are over 70% more efficient than incandescent light bulbs.

Hang Your Clothes Out to Dry

Use the low- temperature settings on the washing machine and load the washing machine to capacity. Washing one large load uses less energy than washing two smaller loads. When drying, dry full loads whenever possible, but be careful not to overfill the dryer. Or, you can also hang your clothes out to dry. Cleaning the dryer filter after each use can also reduce dryer energy use.

Use Smart Strips

Many appliances continue to draw power when they are switched off. These “phantom” loads occur in most appliances that use electricity. Smart strips can eliminate the phantom load draw of household electronics.