Weatherization

Resources & DIY

Tips to Reduce Energy Burden

Heating and Cooling

  • Change or wash your furnace filter regularly
  • Use furnace filter whistle
  • Keep registers clear
  • Set daytime heating temperatures to 68 degrees
  • Turn down heat 5-10 degrees at night or when away from the house
  • Eliminate drafts by weather stripping and caulking doors and windows

Water Heating

  • Use low flow shower heads and faucet aerators
  • Set water heater to 120 degrees
  • Turn off water heater if gone for more than two days
  • Fix leaks immediately
  • Do not leave water running while shaving/brushing
  • Use shower timer to reduce shower time to 5 minutes or less

Refrigerator/Freezer

  • Refrigerators should be kept between 36-40 degrees
  • Freezers should be kept between 0–5 degrees
  • Clean refrigerator/freezer coils with coil cleaning brush

Washer/Dryer and Other Appliances

  • Use coil cleaning brush to clear dryer vent pipe of lint
  • Clean lint filter after every dryer load
  • Use cold water to wash clothes
  • When using a stove top to cook, match the pan to the burner size
  • Use smaller watt appliances other than stove/oven

Lighting

  • Use LED or CFL light bulbs to save 50-80% on lighting cost compared to incandescent lights
  • Use lowest wattage necessary
  • Turn lights off when you leave a room

Electronics

  • Electronics that are turned off may still continue to use power, these are called phantom loads of electricity
  • Items using phantom loads have remotes, lights, clocks and chargers
  • Unplug convenient electronics and plug others into a power strip
  • Set computers to sleep or hibernate instead of letting them idle