Energy-saving tips from Cowlitz PUD
Tuesday, August 19, 2008 3:51 PM PDT
By The Daily News
Printable version
E-mail this articleThe Cowlitz PUD has a free booklet, “88 Ways to Save Energy.” Here are ideas from that list, with the appropriate numbers from the guide, which is compiled by the Northwest Regional Group.
Water Heaters
1. Consider high-efficiency water heaters if you are in the market for a new one.
2. Set thermostat to 120 degrees to efficiently operate your water heater. If you have a dishwasher, check the owner’s manual.
3. Keep it warm. If your water heater is located in an unheated space and doesn’t have a ‘blanket” on it, you may want to get one. Check the guidelines that come with a purchased water heater cover before using it.
Lighting
10. Let the sun shine in. Open blinds and curtains during the day and take advantage of natural light.
11. Dim the lights. Consider purchasing dimmer switches, which increase the life of bulbs while reducing electricity consumption. DO NOT USE with compact fluorescent bulbs, however -- they are not compatible with those.
13. Motion sensors make sense. If you are tired of trying to get family members to turn off lights, or if you are a business owner, consider replacing light switches with motion or occupancy sensors. They make lights go on or off when someone enters or leaves a room. Garages and outdoor lights are perfect places for motion sensors.
17. If you are planning to paint, consider lighter colors. Dark colors absorb light, so you’ll use more electricity in rooms of dark colors.
Heating
23. Before bedtime, turn down your thermostat.
24. Don’t let heat escape. Keep windows closed during cool periods. Weatherstrip and caulk doors and windows -- it can save as much as 6 percent on heating bills. When you’re not using your fireplace, close the damper.
27. Keep it clean. A furnace with a dirty filter has to work harder to heat air. Check filters at least twice during the heating season, and clean or replace them.
Air Conditioning
30. Do your homework. Take into account the area that needs to be cooled, your home’s construction, sun exposure, insulation and windows. These facts will help you choose the best type at the lowest cost. The SEER rating on the EnergyGuide label can also help. All new air conditioners have a SEER rating of 10, but consider buying a model with a rating of 11 or more --- a SEER of 16 can save up to 40 percent on cooling costs.
33. Use fans. A central air conditioning system can use up to 10 kilowatt hours per hour. A fan (ceiling or portable) may use one kilowatt hour per hour. That’s a potential savings of up to 90 percent on the days when a fan will do the trick.
Refrigerators and freezers
40. Keep them maintained. Check door seals and if one is cracked, or cold air is leaking out, the seal should be replaced.
42. Use the propers temperature settings. To work most efficiently, a refrigerator should be set between 38 and 40 degrees, and a freezer at 0 degrees.
Washers and dryers
54. Wash full loads. Over 70 percent of the cost of operating a washer is in heating the water. With an electric water heater, a load of clothes uses about 10 kilowatt hours. Set water levels accordingly and make every effort to wash full loads. Same with a dryer -- since you’re going to use that electricity, you might as well dry a full load.
The free booklet also covers ovens and ranges, pools and spas, water beds and small appliances.
joncmac1 wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:51 AM:
funnyone wrote on Aug 19, 2008 2:07 PM:
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