Skip to Content

Energy Saving Tips

Top 10 No-Cost Conservation Measures

  1. Lower your daytime thermostat setting: Each one degree of set back equals a 2% fuel saving.
     
  2. Turn your thermostat lower at night and while at work: Turning down your thermostat from 65 to 55 degrees for 12 hours a day would result in a 10% fuel saving.
     
  3. Lower the temperature of your hot water tank to 120 degrees: A 10-degree reduction in the hot water temperature would save $72 if you had an electric tank and $56 if you used LP.
     
  4. Make sure your exterior doors shut tightly: Adjusting the lockset striker plate to make sure the door closes tightly against the door weatherstrip could save $7 in your heating bill.
     
  5. Wash you clothes in cold water: Switching from a hot/cold wash to a cold/cold wash would save between $40 and $70 per year.
     
  6. Air dry your clothes whenever possible: Reducing your dryer usage in half would save between $40 and $90 a year depending upon the size of your household.
     
  7. Shut off lights and other appliances when not in use: Shutting off lights when you leave a room and turning off electronic devices when not is use could reduce you electric bill by as much as 5%
     
  8. Do not let the hot water run when not using: Only turning on the hot water while actual washing or shaving can save up to $20 a year.
     
  9. Close window shades or drapes at night and open in the morning: Closing window shades or drapes can help reduce air drafts and increase you comfort.
     
  10. Close window latches and fireplace dampers: Button down the house for the winter and make sure all opening to the outside are shut

 

Top 10 Low-Cost Conservation Measures

  1. Install a set-back thermostat: A setback thermostat cost between $40 and $60 and will allow you to automatically adjust the temperature lower at night and while at work. Most thermostats have weekend settings and have a manual override. Fuel saving can range between 5% and 15%.
     
  2. Insulate the hot water pipes: Insulating the hot water pipes in the basement and especially in unheated crawl spaces will save money and provides hot water quicker to the faucet. A 6-foot section of pipe insulation cost between $3 and $4. Insulating a 25-foot section of pipe with foam pipe insulation could save up to $18 a year.
     
  3. Insulate the hot water tank: Install a water tank fiberglass tank wrap and you can save between $25 and $30 a year. The tank wrap typically costs $20.
     
  4. Replace your existing showerheads with a low-flow fixture: A low flow showerhead costs around $20 and can save between $50 and $80 a year.
     
  5. Caulk and insulate the band joist in the basement and crawl space: Caulking and placing insulation around the band joist in the typical basement measuring 28 feet by 36 feet would costs $36 for caulk and $50 for R-11 fiberglass insulation. Annual saving would range between $125 and $175.
     
  6. Weatherstrip and insulate attic hatches, kneewall access doors and fold-down attic stairs: Making the access into the attic or kneewall area air tight and insulated will save between $20 and $30 a year. The cost to weatherstrip and insulate the hatch or kneewall door ranges between $ 25 and $35. Sealing a fold-down stairway will cost between $50 and $75.\
     
  7. Caulk and plug air gaps, holes and cracks throughout the house: Air infiltration can account over 30% of your annual heat loss. Caulking and sealing all the unwanted leaks into the home will improve your comfort and reduce heating costs. The typically house will require a few cans of spray foam and 12 to 16 tubes of caulk. Cost for materials will average about $75. Some areas to look for leaks include: baseboards, door and window trim, ceiling and walls, pipe and wire penetrations between floors and walls, gaps, and gaps around heating ducts and the floor. Savings can range between $100 and$300 a year.
     
  8. Seal chases around chimneys and other open channels between floors, especially between the basement and the attic: Open chases especially those between the basement and the attic are some of the most heat-grabbing culprits in a structure. Chimneys require metal flashing and high temperature caulk while other opening can be sealed with a variety of items such as, foam, drywall, fiberglass, rigid insulation, and plastic. The costs are low but the results will help to reduce infiltration and lower your heating bills.
     
  9. Install interior window storms or insulated drapes or shades: Interior window storms may be very inexpensive plastic sheathing or a glass insert designed to fit over the window frame. Costs would range between $10 and $50 per window and would save between $6 and $12 per window. An insulated drape or shade could be homemade for $45 or custom made for over $200. The extra-insulated value of the shade or drape will increase your savings slightly more than the interior storm.
     
  10. Replace worn door weather-stripping: Over time, the original door weatherstrip including the door sweep will need to be replaced. Replacement weatherstrip kits for all types of doors are available. Cost range between $20 and $30. Annual savings will range between $8 and $12.
Back to top