Energy Saving Tips
Reduce Your Electric Bill & Save Money
Thermostat
Top energy saving tips have to do 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 cost.
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 is escaping and keep your refrigerator clean so you can quickly get the items you need and close the door without affecting the temp. You can also help the inside temperature stay 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 window, but that is not always possible. Instead add solar control film, which not only helps keep inside your home cooler, it 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 along with using the ceiling fans. Don’t run the air conditioner if you don’t need to or increase the temp on the ac, 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 save 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 spinning out of control is to wash laundry with cold water, and 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 attributes to 40-50% of your energy usage. To keep your AC unit running in the most energy efficient way, replace or clean the unit’s filter. 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 effected. 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, they keep kids safe too.
Doors
When you are not occupying a room, make sure that you keep the door closed. Closing doors especially goes 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 minutes from your dedicated rubber ducky time.
Additional Energy Saving Tips for Winter
- Water heating is around 18% of your utility bill. You can help conserve more hot water and use less electricity by insulating your pipes and installing low-flow water fixtures.
- Bring your pets inside (they can get cold too!)
- 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.
- 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.
- Avoid air leaks by caulking and weather-stripping windows. Air leaks can cause your AC or heater to work overtime and use more energy year-round. Keep warm and cool air inside your home by caulking and weather-stripping.
- Keep the fireplace chimney flue closed when not in use to keep warm air inside.
- Pre-make 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.
- Make sure nothing blocks the air vents in your home while heating is on to improve air flow and better heat your home.
- Avoid using space heaters, where possible. Not only can they be a fire hazard, but they are notorious for using a lot of energy.
- Should you lose power over the holidays, contact your TDU. You can find the phone number for your TDU at PogoEnergy.com/contact-us.
Find more energy saving tips over on our blog.