Energy Saving Tips
Tips to Help Reduce Your Electric Bill & Save Money
Thermostat
Top energy-saving tips have to do with your thermostat. In the winter, it is recommended that you set your thermostat to 68 degrees during waking hours. When you go to bed or leave the house, you should decrease the temperature a few degrees to keep your energy usage under control. You can save as much as 10% on your energy usage by turning your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day. You choose the 8 hours.
Oven
Check on food through the oven window instead of opening the door. Opening the oven decreases the temperature inside by 25 degrees and extends cook time. Opt for using the microwave whenever possible. Microwaves use up to 80% less energy than conventional ovens, and they create way less heat, so you can also save on air conditioning costs.
Refrigerator
To keep your refrigerator cool and your energy usage down, make sure the condenser coils are not being suffocated by dust bunnies. Replace the rubber seal on the door if you notice cold air escaping. Keep your refrigerator clean so you can quickly get the items you need and close the door without affecting the temperature. You can also help keep the inside temperature down by allowing leftovers to cool before you store them.
Windows
Check to make sure you can’t feel any air leaks around your windows. To help stop any air leaks, use caulk and/or weather stripping. It is always a good idea to replace old windows with energy-efficient windows, but that is not always possible. Instead, add solar control film, which not only helps keep the inside of your home cooler but can also help reduce sun damage to interior furniture and floors.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can help you save money if you also do a few things in addition to using them. Don’t run the air conditioner if you don’t need to or increase the temperature when ceiling fans are making the room feel comfortable. Unoccupied rooms don’t need to have the ceiling fan on; turn them off and save money.
Dishwasher
Only run your dishwasher when it is full to keep from washing money down the drain. Most dishwashers sold today do not require you to prewash everything. Save money and time by learning how to properly load your machine so it can clean without a prewash and opt to air dry instead of using the heated dry setting.
Laundry
A top energy-saving tip to keep your electric usage from spiraling out of control is to wash laundry with cold water only when you have a full load. Use the high-speed spin cycle to reduce dry time. Dry heavy cotton items separately so you can use a lower heat setting to dry everything else. Finally, don’t forget to empty the lint trap after every load.
Air Conditioning
Heating and cooling your home account for 40-50% of your energy usage. To keep your AC and heating unit running in the most energy-efficient way, replace or clean the unit’s filter every month. When the filter becomes dirty, the airflow is reduced, putting added stress on the unit, which will use more power to do its job.
Light Bulbs
Switching your incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient LED lights is a gift that keeps giving. The average household saves between $220 and $275 per year when they switch to LEDs. Also, turn off the lights when you leave a room. When combined with some of these other great tips, the savings make a significant impact on your finances.
Electrical Outlets
Have you ever noticed a breeze coming from your electric outlets? Although it may not seem like much, when cool or warm air enters your home through the outlets, the temperature inside is affected. Good news: there is an easy and inexpensive solution. Make sure unused outlets have an outlet cover. Not only do these plastic covers help you become more energy efficient, but they keep kids safe, too.
Doors
When you are not occupying a room, make sure that you keep the door closed. Closing doors are especially used for rooms such as the laundry room and kitchen. When you close the door, your cooling and heating system does not need to work as hard to cool or heat the additional square footage. With these relentless Texas summers, the impact and savings can be something to celebrate.
Shower
Keep the time you spend in the shower down to keep the electric bill down. The hot water that you use while in the shower is directly connected to the hot water heater. When the hot water heater has to heat up water to replace the water that you use in the shower, your energy consumption goes up. Do yourself and your bank account a favor by shaving off a couple of minutes from your dedicated rubber ducky time.
Additional Energy Saving Tips
- Water heating accounts for around 18% of your utility bill. By insulating your pipes and installing low-flow water fixtures, you can help conserve hot water and use less electricity.
- Bring your pets inside (they can get cold/hot too!) and make sure they have access to fresh water.
- Take a 2- 3 song shower.
- Wash laundry and dishes in cold water.
- Open the cabinet doors under your sink overnight to let warm air circulate and help prevent your pipes from freezing.
- Wrap exposed outdoor pipes with insulation or towels, and move potted plants inside or cover them with blankets or frost cloth.
- When your heat runs frequently to keep your home warm, your energy usage increases. Pogo will not raise your rate during the cold.
- While you’re all bundled up on your couch watching movie marathons, lower your thermostat by at least 4 degrees to help save up to 30% on your energy bill.
- Caulking and weather-stripping windows can help prevent air leaks. Air leaks can cause your AC or heater to work overtime and use more energy year-round. By caulking and weather-stripping, you can keep warm and cool air inside your home.
- Keep the fireplace chimney flue closed when not in use to keep warm air inside.
- Pre-made meals to save energy from using your oven, etc.
- Keep curtains and blinds open to let in daylight.
- Stream your movies and TV on a tablet instead of a laptop.
- Unplug unused big appliances (like your TV, coffee maker, printer, etc.) when not in use.
- To improve air flow and heat in your home, make sure nothing blocks the air vents in your home while the heating is on.
- Avoid using space heaters where possible. They can be a fire hazard and are notorious for using a lot of energy.
If you lose power over the holidays, contact your TDU. The phone number for your TDU is at PogoEnergy.com/contact-us.
Find more energy-saving tips over on our blog.