MSUcares logoHow To Save On Utilities

Temperature Control

  • Maintain your heating and cooling equipment in good operating condition.
  • Repair leaks, and insulate heating and cooling ducts in spaces not heated or cooled.
  • Keep air filters clean to make it easier for heating and cooling system to do its job.
  • Reduce daytime home heating in winter months; maintain a 68-degree Fahrenheit temperature or lower.
  • Reduce nighttime winter temperature by at least 5 to 10 degrees.
  • In the cold months, open draperies and blinds or roll up shades to let in the sun's heat.
  • If you have a garage door, close it in the winter.
  • Increase temperature setting for summer air-conditioning; 78 °F or higher.
  • Use window and attic fans for cooling in summer when outside temperature and humidity are below inside house temperature and humidity.
  • Turn, pull, or push damper to close off flue when you are not using the fireplace.

Lighting

  • Turn off unnecessary lights, indoors and out.
  • Keep lighting fixtures clean.
  • Reduce lighting levels to minimum for task to be performed.
  • Use bulbs with lower wattage in halls, stairways, and other areas of general illumination.
  • Select energy-efficient light bulbs.
  • Use fluorescent lighting for maximum light from electrical energy used.
  • When possible, take advantage of daylight hours to carry out tasks that require a high-light level.
  • Use timers to turn lights on in the evening rather than leaving lights on all day when no one is home.

Heating Water

  • Insulate long hot water pipes, especially those under the house or those that go through unheated basements.
  • Repair leaky faucets.
  • Maintain regular temperature setting of 140 °F on water heater.
  • Reduce the amount of hot water; for example, take "short" showers and use low to medium levels of water in the bathtub.

Laundry

  • Sort loads by fabric type and weight.
  • Wash only full loads of laundry.
  • Use heated water only in the washing cycle.
  • Use water no hotter than necessary for adequate soil removal and sanitation.
  • Use good laundry techniques to get satisfactory results in one washing process.
  • Line-dry garments and household items when practical.
  • Avoid overdrying in the dryer.
  • Use the dryer efficiently; avoid drying only one or two items at one time.
  • Remove items when dryer stops to avoid unnecessary wrinkling, which will require pressing.
  • Reduce ironing to a minimum by careful selection of garments and household linens.

Cleaning and Maintenance

  • Empty or replace vacuum cleaner bag frequently to keep equipment functioning efficiently.
  • Eliminate unnecessary vacuuming and floor polishing.
  • Use hand equipment rather than power equipment when practical.

Cooking and Baking

  • Use cooking utensils that fit the electric unit or gas burner.
  • Use tight-fitting lids on cooking utensils, when appropriate.
  • Reduce heat to maintain necessary cooking temperature when using surface units or burners.
  • Use small appliances, including microwave ovens, for cooking, baking, and toasting if they are more efficient than the range.
  • Use oven to capacity.
  • Preheat oven only when necessary (for most leavened foods). Do not preheat longer than needed to reach required temperature.
  • Turn off oven, surface units, or burners promptly after food is cooked.

Refrigerator and Freezer

  • Locate the refrigerator and freezer away from heat source such as the range, hot-air register, or direct sunlight.
  • Avoid opening door or holding it open unnecessarily.
  • Keep grills and evaporator coils clean.
  • Defrost as needed.
  • If cold air is leaking around door, have door adjusted or gasket replaced.
  • Turn off, empty, and clean refrigerator and leave door open when taking an extended vacation.

Dishwashing

  • Accumulate dishes: hold until the dishwasher is filled. If you hand wash dishes, rinse and hold breakfast dishes until noon or evening.
  • Avoid wasting hot water by leaving it to run continuously while washing or rinsing dishes.

Personal Care

  • Minimize hot water used in bathing. Compare to see if you use less water showering than in tub bathing.
  • Do not leave water running while shaving, brushing teeth, and/or washing face.
  • Turn off faucets promptly after use.

Recreation and Entertainment

  • Turn off TV, radio, or stereo when no one is really watching or listening.
  • Use ship or hobby equipment efficiently.
  • Maintain tools in good operating condition.
  • Encourage family members to develop leisure activities such as bicycling, hiking, reading, and swimming, which have low energy costs.
  • Spend vacations closer to home.
  • Encourage home and neighborhood activities.

Energy Shopping

  • Use energy-efficiency guides when buying appliances, automobiles, and other motors.
  • Select an energy-efficient air-conditioning unit the proper size for space to be cooled. It is better to buy a slightly undersized unit, rather than an oversized one.
  • Select size/capacity of appliances according to your needs. Larger ones usually require more energy to operate.
  • Consider lifetime cost when making purchase decisions (initial costs plus operating costs plus maintenance costs).
  • If you plan a change in housing, consider how much space is essential. Extra space takes energy to heat, cool, light, and clean.
  • If you are shopping for housing to buy or rent, evaluate it for energy efficiency.

 

By Dr. Frances Graham, Extension Housing Specialist

Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.

Information Sheet 580
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director

Copyright by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.

This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.
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