Helpful Hints

How can I lower my energy bills during the summer? What should I do about that high electric bill? What about during the winter? Here are some helpful hints! And … if you have any question at all on any issue relating to cooling, heating and plumbing, don’t hesitate to visit our “Ask the Pro” page.

Cooling Tips

Get an automatic setback or digital programmable thermostat, which, when used properly, can shave $100 off your annual energy bills.
Turn your thermostat back when not at home. By turning your thermostat back 4° to 8° for 8 hours, you can save about 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill.
Turn the air-conditioner thermostat up to at least 78° or higher, or use a digital programmable thermostat.
Install a solar attic fan – it can cool your attic by nearly 30°, and add insulation to the attic.
Keep drapes, blinds and shades closed during the day to block out the sun.
Clear furniture away from air-conditioning supply and return vents.
Keep cool air in by installing insulation and weather-stripping.
Plant shade trees due west of west windows – it could reduce your air-conditioning bills by up to 25%.

Heating Tips

Get an automatic setback or digital programmable thermostat, which, when used properly, can shave $100 off your annual energy bills.
Turn your thermostat back when not at home. By turning your thermostat back 4° to 8° for 8 hours, you can save about 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill.
Keep ductwork in good repair with duct tape or duct insulation. Your home could be losing up to 25% of its hot air before it reaches the vents!
Have at least 18-inch of insulation in your attic. You can never have enough insulation in the unconditioned areas of your home.
Install a water heater blanket for greater heating efficiency.
Keep radiators free of dust for top efficiency.
Wrap your pipes, to guard against heat loss and prevent them from freezing.
Let the sun shine. Windows on the south side of the house get the most sunlight. Eastern windows get sunlight in the morning. West facing windows receive sunlight in the afternoon. Open shades and drapes during the daytime to warm the home.
Close your fireplace damper and closet doors when not in use.
Install glass doors on the fireplace for added insulation and reduced heat loss.
Have your fireplace chimney cleaned and inspected regularly, and burn only fully dried hardwoods for the most heat output.
Correct air leaks around windows, doors and electrical outlets.
Repair weather stripping and caulking.
Check your threshold for any gaps between it and the door. Use a bottom seal that can be attached to the bottom of the door – it should brush up against the floor to seal the threshold. It virtually stops drafts.
Make sure rugs and furniture don’t block the air circulation from baseboard outlets.
Replace any cracked glass in your windows.
Seal off your attic circulating fan with polyethylene and tape.
Make sure your ceiling has at least six inches of good thermal insulation.
Re-glaze window glass (glazing is the putty that seals the glass to the frame). You can use a putty knife or glazing gun. Re-glazing stops air infiltration on the sash (window frame) itself. You can then install a V-strip to stop any leaking that would go around the sash. This also makes the window easier to operate up and down.
Avoid using space heaters. They’re expensive to operate, and can be dangerous, too.

Plumbing & Water Heating Tips

Insulate your water heater and hot water pipes to reduce heat loss and water heating costs.
Set your water heater at 120o or less, you can save up to $25 a year (if you use an electric water heater).
Turn your water heater down to the lowest setting while on vacation.
Take a short shower instead of a bath. Every minute you cut from shower time saves three gallons of water and the energy used to heat that water.
Repair leaky faucets. One drop per second from a leaky faucet wastes up to 400 gallons of water a year. Not only is water wasted, but so is the energy to heat the water.
Choose low-flow showerheads and faucets – they can reduce your water consumption by as much as 10% and save on energy to heat the water. A family of four can save as much as 15,000 gallons of water a year when installing these fixtures.

Other Important Energy Conservation Tips for Any Time of the Year

Install ceiling fans. They could cut your energy bill by 40%. And reversing fans for upward airflow will move warm air down in winter!
Use compact fluorescent lights. They last up to 10-13 times longer than standard bulbs and use 75% less energy.
Install dimmer switches. In addition to making for more romantic dinners, they’ll extend the life of your bulbs and help you save up to 60% on your lighting costs.
Close off rooms you don’t use – and remember to shut the vents inside.
Turn off the lights if you leave a room for more than a few seconds.
Install motion activated switches that automatically turn lights on and off.
Don’t keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer. Also, cover food in the fridge; uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
Don’t leave the fridge door open! Every time you do, up to 30% of the cooled air can escape. The same can be said for your oven.
Use less water and use cooler water when doing laundry. The warm or cold water setting on your machine will generally do a good job of cleaning your clothes. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load’s energy use in half.
Air-dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.