Saving energy can be easy. Every small energy-saving measure you take can add up to big savings.
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Set your water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees.
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Limit your shower length to 5-7 minutes.
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Take the guard off your refrigerator base and clean the dust and debris.
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Set the refrigerator temperature to 34-37 degrees and freezer to 0-5.
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Unplug or recycle unused refrigerators and freezers.
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Use the air-dry cycle instead of heat-dry on your dishwasher.
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Use cold water when washing clothes.
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Make sure vents are not blocked by furniture or drapes.
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Only do full laundry and dishwasher loads.
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Consider using a clothes line.
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Make sure the outdoor dryer exhaust door closes when the dryer is off.
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Make sure the dryer vent hose is tightly connected to dryer and wall.
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Ensure your outdoor heat pump/air conditioner unit is kept clean.
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Turn computers, electronics and any other energy-using device off, or unplug them, when not in use.
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Set your thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer and 68 in the winter.
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Keep windows closed and locked when heating or cooling your home.
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Close fireplace dampers when not burning a fire. Remember to open them before starting a fire.
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Open your shades during winter days to catch solar heat and close them on winter nights to keep heat in.
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Keep your garage door down. A garage that is warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer will save energy.
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Caulk around windows, doors and baseboards.
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Replace your furnace filter as recommended by the manufacturer.
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Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
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Install motion sensors on your lights.
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Have your air-conditioner tuned-up by a professional contractor.
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Replace your shower head with a low-flow shower head.
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Install switch and outlet gaskets/foam inserts on outer walls.
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Add a water heater blanket if your water heater is not well insulated.
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Use a smart power strip for electronics.
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Install foam pipe wrap around hot water pipes.
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Caulk around plumbing penetrations that come through walls beneath bathroom and kitchen sinks.
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Caulk electrical wire penetrations at the top of interior walls.
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Ensure windows and doors are properly weather-stripped.
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Get an energy audit and implement the recommended measures.
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Replace your inefficient heating/cooling equipment with a high efficiency model, such as an air-source or ground-source heat pump.
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Add insulation in your attic.
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Replace old appliances with Energy Star® appliances.
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Repair and insulate duct work.
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Replace an older water heater with an energy-efficient model.
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Install more cold air returns if your house needs increased air circulation to increase furnace efficiency.
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Install Energy Star® windows and doors.