ENERGY HINTS

Thursday January 29, 2009 11:01:31 AM

OfficeMax Coupon

• Check the oven seal for leaking heat.
• Check the lighting in your home. Lower the wattage when possible.
• Close doors to rooms that don't need to be heated, like closets, storage rooms, etc.
• Close the heating vent in unused rooms.
• Close your drapes at night to help cold air from getting in.
  Open your drapes wide when the sun is shining to warm your room.
• Conserve power from the dishwasher, stop it before the drying cycle, and open the door to air dry your dishes. Make sure all your appliances are running smoothly by cleaning the filters regularly.
• Fridge tip: Make sure the unit is level. An un-level refrigerator works harder than it needs to and wastes energy.
• Keep refrigerator condenser coil free from dust by vacuuming frequently.
• Keep cold water in the refrigerator for drinking. 
• Keep your windows shut as tightly as possible. Locking them will make the seal tighter.
• Kitchen:  Defrost your freezer if the ice is 5mm thick. 
• Lower your thermostat temperature a couple of degrees and wear sweaters around your house. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you save 2-3 percent on your energy bill.
• Lower your thermostat temperature a couple of degrees and wear sweaters around your house. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you save 2-3 percent on your bill.
• Make sure all your appliances are running smoothly by cleaning the filters regularly.
• Make sure the magnetic door seal on the refrigerator doesn't leak.
• Make sure the on/off cycle of your refrigerator works properly. Make sure the seals are not dirty or worn.
• Open your drapes wide when the sun is shining to warm your room.
• Turn on the fan (use the “low” setting so as not to dislodge the freshener) to circulate the fragrance throughout the room.
• Turn you lights off when you leave a room. It is cheaper to turn them on and off than leave them on, and the bulbs last longer. Use the lowest wattage possible and still have adequate light. Energy-efficient home is not only more economical; it's also healthier.
• Turn you lights off when you leave a room. It is cheaper to turn them on and off than leave them on, and the bulbs last longer.
• Turn your water heater down to 120 Degrees. If you know when you will be using your hot water (showers, dishes, laundry, etc.) put an appliance timer on your hot water heater.
• Turn off TV and videos when not using.
• Turn lights off when not using.
• Turn your water heater down.  If you know when you will be using your hot water (showers, dishes, laundry, etc.) put an appliance timer on your hot water heater.
  Causes of poor air quality such as humidity, drafts, cold windows in the winter or hot windows in the summer, are all lessened by improvements in energy-efficiency.
• Unless you are baking, put your food in your oven when you first turn it on.
• Use cooking utensils that have a flat base and tight sealing lids. 
• Use the kettle, not the microwave, to heat small amounts of water. 
• Use the lowest wattage possible and still have adequate light.
• When cooking, try do a double lot of baking to save your time and energy a as well as power. I do double mixture for cakes an biscuits, meatloaves , casseroles etc. Great for meals that you need in a hurry.
• When you use your dishwasher, stop it before the drying cycle, and open the door to air dry your dishes.