Lighting
Air Conditioning and Heating
Central Air Conditioning and Heating Systems
Window or Room Air Conditioners
Other Things That Save On Air Conditioning and Heating Costs
Water Heating
Home Appliances for the Kitchen and Laundry
Refrigerator / Freezer
Cooking - Ranges, Cooktops & Built-in Ovens
Dishwashers
Clothes Washer
Clothes Dryer
Miscellaneous Houshold Loads

Lighting

Lighting accounts for about 7 percent of the typical home electrical energy use.

• Turn off lights in rooms not occupied.
• When replacing lamps use lower wattage or more efficient types.
• Convert incandescent lamps to compact fluorescent where possible and receive the same or more lighting for a reduced input wattage. Compact fluorescent lights use only about one-quarter to one-third as much electricity as incandescent lights. Today's compact fluorescent lamps can also be used outside in porch lights. Use fluorescent lights whenever you can; they give out more lumens of light per watt and they last up to ten times longer than the typical incandescent. Consider fluorescent lighting for the kitchen sink and countertop areas.
• Make sure all outdoor lighting is turned off during the day. Exterior lighting should be reduced to the minimum necessary for security. Security lights should be controlled by photocells and/or time clocks or motion detectors.
• For all lights controlled by time clocks, check the On/Off settings when we have time changes due to Daylight Saving Time.
• If possible use one high-wattage bulb instead of several smaller wattage ones. It takes two 60-watt bulbs or four 40-watt bulbs to provide as much light as a single 100-watt bulb.
• Dust off bulbs and clean lighting fixture diffusers occasionally to make sure you are getting all the light you're paying for.
• Turn three-way bulbs down to the lowest level when watching television. You'll reduce the glare and use less energy.

Air Conditioning and Heating

Air Conditioning accounts for about 60 percent of the typical home electrical energy use. Heating accounts for about 12 percent of the typical home energy use.

Central Air Conditioning and Heating Systems

• On central air conditioning, adjust the thermostat setting upward to reduce cooling costs. For each degree the cooling setting is raised a savings of about 9 percent is achieved, up to about an 80 degree setting. Above 80 degrees the savings percentage is smaller.
• For central heating adjust the thermostat setting downward to reduce heating costs. For each degree the heating setting is lowered a savings of about 3 percent is reached, down to a setting of 70 degrees. Below 70 degrees the savings percentage is smaller.
• On central air conditioning and heating systems consider installing a programmable setup/setback thermostat, which can automatically change the temperature setting for up to four times per day. When no one is home during the day, a programmable thermostat makes sure the setting is adjusted to provide a maximum savings. It helps to make sure that cooling or heating are not operating when no one will benefit from it. These thermostats then automatically set the temperature to the setting you determine and change the setting at the time chosen, say when family members are expected home.
• Inspect and replace the central air conditioning and heating system filters every month. For air conditioning a dirty filter can cause a 10 percent reduction in air flow and that can increase the operating cost by up to 11 percent.
• Regular maintenance should be performed on your air conditioning system by a professional A-C contractor. This maintenance should include cleaning of the condenser coil and evaporator coil and if the air handler has fan belts, they should be checked for tightness. The contractor should make sure the outdoor unit has the correct charge of freon and has adequate clearance space around it for proper air flow.
• During the annual maintenance checks, have the ductwork inspected to make sure nothing is disconnected or leaking. With central system units, set the fan position at the thermostat to the Auto position instead of On. This may help to reduce the humidity levels in the house. Plus when set to Auto the air handler fan only runs when the thermostat is calling for cooling or heating, and not all the time as when set to On.
• Keep windows and doors near the thermostat tightly closed, otherwise outside air drafts may keep the cooling or heating system working after the rest of the house is comfortable. Don't place lamps or a TV set near the thermostat. In the cooling season these could cause the unit to run extra time because the added heat will make the thermostat think the house is not cooled to the set temperature.
• When you have to replace an air conditioner, select an energy efficient one. For central systems an SEER rating of 14.0 or higher is recommended.

Window or Room Air Conditioners

• For window air conditioners adjust the thermostat control upward to reduce cooling costs. For each degree the cooling setting is raised a savings of about 9 percent is achieved, up to about an 80 degree setting. Above 80 degrees the savings percentage is smaller.
• For window units with heating by electric elements or by a heat pump adjust the thermostat heating control downward to reduce heating costs. For each degree the heating setting is lowered a savings of about 3 percent is reached, down to a setting of 70 degrees. Below 70 degrees the savings percentage is smaller.
• Inspect, clean or replace the filter located in the front grill every month on window units. For air conditioning a dirty filter can cause a 10 percent reduction in air flow and that can increase the operating cost by up to 11 percent.
• The inside evaporator coil on window units should be keep clean and the outside condenser coils should be clean and free of leaves and other objects that can be sucked in.
• On window or room air conditioning units make sure there are no leaks around the window and the unit is securely mounted. Caulk or seal any place air could leak out or water might enter at the mounting window.
• For window units the available EER rating will vary depending on the cooling capacity size and the voltage. For most 115 volt models the EER range is from around a high EER of 11.0 down to a low EER of 9.5. Units in the cooling capacity size range of 10,000 to 13,000 Btuhs have a EERs as high as 12.0, with models down to a low EER 9.5 and in between. For 230 volts units the EER will range from a high of 11.5 to a low of 8.5, again depending on the cooling size. For window units, typically the higher the EER the more the model costs. Our recommendation is to buy the highest EER model as practical

Other Things That Save On Air Conditioning and Heating Costs

• Check the insulation level in you attic. In the Houston area experts recommend an R-value of 30 for ceiling insulation. That can be 8 to 16 inches deep, depending on the type of insulation. The thickness of the insulation is the primary way to determine the R-value. The higher the R-value the better the resistance to heat transfer. Insulation slows the transfer of heat that begins with the sun beating down on your roof, through the attic and ceiling into your home.
• Insulation in walls and under raised floors is recommended, but in existing homes, the addition may be expensive. For walls R-15 is the recommendation for new homes, but in existing homes a range of R-11 to R-13 is acceptable. For under floors the recommendation is from R-19 to R-30, depending on the cost and difficulty of installing.
• Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. If you need a new roof ask your contractor about ridge vents and soffit vents. If you currently have other type of attic vents like roof turbine ventilators or powered ventilators, make sure they are operating correctly.
• If you are planning on planting trees on the east, west and south sides of your house, use large deciduous trees. In the cooling season these trees help to shade the house and in the winter the bare branches allow sunlight and natural solar heat to filter through onto the house.
• Sealing all the air leaks around doors and windows will go a long way toward increasing interior comfort and reducing heating and cooling costs.
• Weatherstripping is used around exterior doors and often on older windows. It is a good idea to weatherstrip along the sides, top and bottom of the sash. Caulking is used to seal joints were two different materials join together, like where metal or vinyl meets brick or wood. These types of joints are often found around doors, windows, and other penetrations into the house, like water pipes or wires. Don't forget cracks under exterior eaves and corners framed by siding.
• In the Houston area it is important to look at ways to block the sun from hitting your windows and glass doors. The most common items used are reflective film and sunscreens often called solar screens. Both of the measures have paybacks in the 2 to 5 year range, depending upon the orientation of the glass. Other methods of exterior window coverings are shutters, awnings made of metal or cloth, or other types of overhangs.
• During the summer close draperies, shades and blinds during the early morning and late afternoon to reduce solar heat gain, which increases the time your air conditioner must operate. In the winter keep draperies, shades and blinds open in the day time to let the heat from the sunlight in and close them at night.
• Use ceiling fans or other type of portable fans with your cooling and heating system. In the cooling season the fans create a "wind chill effect", which make the rooms occupants feel cooler. If no one is in the room turn off the fan. The average 52 to 54 inch blade ceiling fan on a medium speed uses about 35 watts of electricity. It can operate for about 30 hours and use just 1 kilowatt-hour of power. So you will save money when you raise your thermostat setting and turn on a fan. In the winter most ceiling fan blades can be positioned so the warm air near the ceiling is moved down toward the floor were the heat is needed.
• Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans sparingly. In just 1 hour these fans can blow away a houseful of warmed or cooled air. Turn them off just as soon as they have done their job.
• Keep your fireplace damper closed unless you have a fire going or hot ambers. It is a good practice to check that the damper is tightly closed every time you change the air conditioning filter.
• Keep windows and doors near the thermostat tightly closed, otherwise is will keep the cooling or heating system working after the rest of the house is comfortable. Don't place lamps or a TV set near the thermostat. In the cooling season these could cause the unit to run extra time because the added heat will make the thermostat think the house is not cooled to the set temperature.
• Open the windows instead of using your air conditioner on cooler days or during cooler hours.

Water Heating

Water Heating accounts for about 15 percent of the typical home energy use.

• To lower energy usage without sacrificing comfort, set water temperature at 120 degrees. But, unless your dishwasher heats its own water, your water heater must be set at 140 degrees to activate most dishwasher power detergent.
• Insulate hot water pipes from the water heater up to at least 4 feet toward the inside of the house from an outside wall. This recommendation applies if the water heater is in a conditioned room or in the garage. All cold water supply pipes should also be insulated the same way to help prevent frozen pipes. If the water heater is in the attic, it would be wise to insulate both the hot and cold water pipes.
• Install controlled flow showerheads to reduce hot water use.
• Avoid long showers and full tub baths.
• Run garbage disposal with cold water.
• Fix leaky faucets. A small leak of just one drop a second can waste as much as 60 gallons of hot or cold water in a week.
• Install a water flow reducing aerator in your kitchen sink faucet. This will reduce the amount of hot water used and save the energy that would be required to heat it. The lower flow pressure is hardly noticeable.
• Turn down or shut off your water heater when you go on vacation.

Home Appliances for the Kitchen and Laundry

Home Appliances for the Kitchen and Laundry account for about 16 percent of the typical home energy use.

Refrigerator / Freezer

• Clean or vacuum the dust off of your refrigerator condenser coils at least twice a year. These coils are located on the back or bottom of most models. You can purchase a refrigerator/freezer coil brush at most hardware stores for about four dollars.
• Set the refrigerator temperature at 38 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer at 0 to 5 degrees.
• Keep your refrigerator full, but space items for proper air circulation.
• Keep your freezer full and tightly pack items together.
• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
• Replace worn refrigerator door gaskets. To check the seal on your door gaskets, perform the "dollar bill test". Close the refrigerator or freezer door on a dollar bill. If it feels snugly as you pull it out, the seal is fine. If the dollar bill falls out or pulls out too easily, the gasket needs to be changed.
• Try to eliminate refrigerators and freezers located in the garage or other non-air conditioned areas, if they are not currently needed or only partially full.
• If your refrigerator or freezer is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a new, more energy efficient model. New models can be as much as 50 percent more energy efficient than older units.
• Most refrigerators have a power-saver switch which turns off the heating elements in the walls and doors of the unit. By using the power-saver switch you can save about 15 percent in refrigerator energy costs.
• Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers. Frost buildup increases the amount of energy needed to keep the unit cold by requiring the compressor to run longer. Do not allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.
• Consider buying a freezer that has to be defrosted manually. Although they require more effort to defrost, these models use less energy than those that defrost automatically. Freezers with manual defrost are made in all sizes, both chest type and upright models.
• Keep your freezer or refrigerator away from heat sources and direct sunlight.

Cooking - Ranges, Cooktops & Built-in Ovens

• When using your oven, cook as many dishes as possible instead of cooking each separately. If recipes require different temperatures, pick a middle one, then take out each dish as it completes cooking.
• If a dish requires more than an hour of cooking, preheating the oven isn't necessary.
• Minimize opening the oven door. Watch the clock or use a timer, don't continually open the oven door to check food. The inside temperature drops up to 25 degrees every time you do.
• When cooking on the top of the range or cooktop, use the lowest possible temperature.
• Match the pot to the size of the burner. Putting a small pot on a large burner won't cook food faster, but it will waste energy.
• If your oven has a self-cleaning feature, use it when the oven is still hot from baking. In the winter use this feature when the extra heat in the kitchen will help keep you warm. In the summer use the feature at night when no one will be occupying the kitchen.
• Arrange pans in the oven for proper air flow. Do not line the racks with foil, it will block the flow of heated air necessary for proper cooking.
• Move food to the center of the oven for baking.
• Keep the range top or cooktop burners and reflectors clean. They will reflect the heat and conduct heat to the utensil better, and you will save energy.
• Make sure the oven door gasket is pliable and in good shape. It should not leak hot air out into the kitchen.
• Turn off the oven minutes before your food item is fully cooked. The remaining heat will finish the job.
• On the surface burners of your stove or cooktop, keep the lids on pots and cook with as little water as possible. This keeps the heat inside and cooks foods faster.
• Use a microwave oven to save energy cooking or heating smaller dishes or portions. Microwave ovens do not heat up the kitchen as much as use of the oven or stove top.
• The use of smaller cooking appliances can also save energy and produce less heat in the cooling season. These include electric skillets, slow cookers, toaster ovens, rice cookers and other specialty cookers.

Dishwashers

• Wait until you have a full load before using your dishwasher, but do not over load it.
• If your dishwasher has a "no heat" dry option setting give it a try. For models which do not have this option, when the wash and rinse cycles are complete, open the door and let the dishes dry naturally or as it is often called 'air dry'. This option or door opening can save up to one third of the energy used by the dishwasher on normal load operation.
• Don't use the "rinse hold" feature on your dishwasher all the time. It uses from 2 to 5 gallons of hot water each time.
• Scrape or wipe dishes first, but to not hand rinse them before loading them into the dishwasher. This saves hot water from the sink use and let the dishwasher do its job of cleaning the dishes.
• Keep drains and filters clean, so your dishwasher can work most efficiently.

Clothes Washer

• If possible do a full load of clothes, but do not overload the tub. Some models have a small load attachment or variable water level settings, so the machine does not waste water.
• Wash clothes in warm or cold water and rinse in cold water. You'll save energy and money. Use hot water only if absolutely necessary. Most of today's detergents can adequately clean in cold water, but select a cold rinse cycle to reduce your hot water energy usage.
• Pre-soak or use a soak cycle when washing heavily soiled garments. You'll avoid two washings and save energy.
• If your washer has a lint filter, keep it clean.

Clothes Dryer

• Fill the clothes dryer but do not overload them.
• Keep the lint screen in the dryer clean. Clean it after every load. Lint impedes the flow of air in the dryer and requires the machine to use more energy.
• Keep the outside exhaust of your clothes dryer clean. Check it regularly. A clogged exhaust lengthens the drying time and increases the amount of energy used. Plus a clogged exhaust can be unsafe and is a possible fire hazard if lint builds up inside of the dryer.
• If your dryer has as automatic dryer sensor control feature, then use it. The feature helps to avoid over drying clothes, as compared to using the manual timer setting when you have to make an estimate of the number of minutes needed to dry each load. The sensor feature will yield energy savings if the timer method is leading to extra drying time.
• Dry your clothes in consecutive loads. Stop-and-start drying uses more energy because a lot goes into bringing the dryer up to the desired temperature each time you begin.
• For the dryer separate loads into heavy and lightweight items. Since the lighter ones take less drying time, the dryer doesn't have to be on as long for these loads.

Miscellaneous Houshold Loads

Miscellaneous household Loads account for about 5 percent of the typical home electric energy use.

• Turn off the television when not being watched. Newer TV's do not use much power as older models did, but it does add up as the hours roll on. A 25 inch to a 30 inch tube type television today will use about 100 watts of electricity. For each ten hours of use it will consume 1 kWh.
• Turn off stereo's and associated equipment when not being listen to. Do not leave the amplifier on when the CD player has been turned off or vise versa.
• Computers are another appliance which often gets left on. The typical monitor uses from 50 to 100 watts of power and the computer CPU will pull 60 to 100 watts. So for every hour the computer system is left on and not used, it will consume as much as 175 to 200 watts. In five hours this can add up to the use of 1 kilowatt-hour (1 kWh) of electricity. If a 200 watt computer system is left on all month for 30 days, it will use about 144 kWh.
• A waterbed which has a water heater is an application that tends to be forgotten about. Too minimize the operating cost adjust the temperature to the lowest setting it is comfortable. Adjust the temperature for each season. A king size waterbed averages using at least 50 kWh per month. During a cold winter month, a king size waterbed will consume about 100 kWh.
• Spa / Hot tubs usually have a heater in them which can use a large amount of energy. Do not leave them on when not in use. Some units have a setting in which the air jet and/or main water pump turns off, but the heater and a small pump or the main pump on a slow speed still operate. This type of operation can consume a large amount of electricity.
• Pool filter pumps in swimming pools, hot tubs, or small pools can use a lot of energy. Put them on time clocks so they only operate the minimum time necessary to keep the water conditioned. We recommend you consult with a pool or spa dealer to determine the time clock settings.
• If your property has a water well pump, make sure there are no leaking faucets, commodes, or uncontrolled water use. This will greatly affect the energy used by the water well pump.