In addition to doing a home energy audit, here are some more spring cleaning home energy tips!
Check your refrigerator. Make sure the vent and coils are clean—vacuum them if not—and that the seals on the doors are tight. You can test the seals by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily once the door is shut, the seal isn’t tight enough. Also check the thermostat to see if it’s set too low. The EPA recommends setting the refrigerator between 37-40 degrees and the freezer at 3. Keep your refrigerator as full as possible; it takes less power to keep a full one cool. If your fridge is over ten years old, think about replacing it. Models that are that old use more than three times the energy of today’s ENERGY STAR rated refrigerators.
Think about replacing your home’s heating and cooling system thermostat with a programmable digital thermostat. Programmable thermostats can save the average home $180 dollars a year, according to the Department of Energy.
Search out the “energy vampires” in your home. Many electronics such as TVs and computers draw power even when they’re not on. An easy solution is to plug them into a power strip, and then turn the strip off when those electronics are not in use. Also watch for things like cell phone chargers; if a charger is left plugged in it drains a little power, even when it’s not charging your phone! The same is true for adaptors, such as laptop adaptors; they draw power when plugged in, even if they aren’t powering your laptop.
Check your refrigerator. Make sure the vent and coils are clean—vacuum them if not—and that the seals on the doors are tight. You can test the seals by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily once the door is shut, the seal isn’t tight enough. Also check the thermostat to see if it’s set too low. The EPA recommends setting the refrigerator between 37-40 degrees and the freezer at 3. Keep your refrigerator as full as possible; it takes less power to keep a full one cool. If your fridge is over ten years old, think about replacing it. Models that are that old use more than three times the energy of today’s ENERGY STAR rated refrigerators.
Think about replacing your home’s heating and cooling system thermostat with a programmable digital thermostat. Programmable thermostats can save the average home $180 dollars a year, according to the Department of Energy.
Search out the “energy vampires” in your home. Many electronics such as TVs and computers draw power even when they’re not on. An easy solution is to plug them into a power strip, and then turn the strip off when those electronics are not in use. Also watch for things like cell phone chargers; if a charger is left plugged in it drains a little power, even when it’s not charging your phone! The same is true for adaptors, such as laptop adaptors; they draw power when plugged in, even if they aren’t powering your laptop.
Comments