• 25 Quick & Easy Energy Efficiency Tips

Energy efficiency means you are using less energy to do the same jobs, reducing your home's energy waste and saving money. To effectively increase your energy efficiency involves more than just using less energy - it requires you becoming aware of how energy is used, where it's wasted, and how it can be used more effectively and efficiently in everyday life. Here are some top tips to help your home or business save energy and be more efficient.

25 Energy Saving Tips

How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

1)Change your light bulbs to LEDs.

2)Wash your clothes in cold water if possible.

3)Air seal your home. Sealing cracks, gaps and
   leaks and adding insulation can save up to 10%
   on  home heating and cooling costs.

4)Clean or replace all filters in your home regularly.
    Dirty filters make your system work harder and
    run longer than necessary.

5)Use your microwave instead of your stove when cooking.

6)Defrost your refrigerator and freezer before ice
  buildup becomes 1/4-inch thick to ensure your
   appliances are running efficiently.

7)During warmer months, close blinds, shades and
   drapes on the sunny side of your home to help
   keep your home's temperature cooler and
   reduce the work for you AC. Open shades during
   cooler months to let the sun warm your home.

8)Don't peek in the oven while baking! Every time
   you peek, the temperature can drop 25 F, making
    your oven use more energy to bring the
    temperature back up.

9)Use natural light when possible.

10)Control your fixtures with a photocell or a timer
    to assure dusk-to-dawn only operation of your
    outdoor lights.

11)Don't leave your electronics on all day long. 

12)Only turn on your computer, monitor, printer
      and fax machine when you need them.

13)Set your thermostat to 78F in the summer and
    68F in the winter - every degree of extra heating
    or cooling will increase energy usage 6% to 8%.
   Setting your thermostat to a lower temperature
   than normal will not cool your home faster.

14)Using your ceiling fan will allow you to raise the
      thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction
      in comfort.

15)Refrigerators and freezers actually operate most
      efficiently when full, so keep your refrigerator
      and freezer as full as possible (using water
      bottles if nothing else). Be careful about
      overfilling them as this will reduce airflow and
      cause the appliance to work harder.

16)Using dishwashers and clothes washers/dryers
     at night will keep the house cooler, reduce
     strain on the power grid during the peak usage
      hours of 4 PM and 6 PM and reduce the chance
      of an emergency!

17)Turn off heated dry on your dishwasher and air
      dry instead.

18)Set your refrigerator temperature to the
      manufacturer's recommendation to avoid
     excessive cooling and wasting energy.

19)Don't leave bathroom or kitchen ventilation
    fans running longer than necessary. They
    replace inside air with outside.

20)Replace your windows. If your home has single-
      pane windows, consider replacing them with
      more energy efficient windows, or adding solar
      shades or tinting film.

21)Install a programmable thermostat that will
      automatically adjust the temperature
      according to your schedule.

22)Turn off the lights when they're not in use.
      Lighting accounts for about 12% of a typical  r
      residential utility bill.

23)Don't leave your mobile phone plugged in
      overnight. It only takes a couple of hours to
      charge.

23)Turn off the oven a few minutes before cooking
      time runs out. Your food will continue to cook
      without using the extra electricity.

24)Watch your appliance placement. Avoid placing
      appliances that give off heat, such as lamps or
      TVs, near a thermostat.

25)Dress for the weather. When you're at home,
     dress in warm clothing in the winter and cooler
     clothing in the summer to stay comfortable
     without making your heater and AC work harder.

Stay Current with Direct Energy

When you sign up with an energy plan from Direct Energy, you'll get tips and tools to stay informed about your energy usage and save on your bill.