Low-Cost/No-Cost Ways to Save Energy in your Home

Tired of spending so much money on utility bills?

While some energy efficiency improvements, such as heating system replacements or insulation, do require a substantial investment, you can make many simple, low cost changes RIGHT NOW to save money and energy.

Appliance Savers:

• Turn off lights when you leave a room
• Turn off the TVs and computers when they're not in use ]
• Install compact fluorescent lamps in lamps/ceiling fixtures that you use most often ($15/bulb)
• Vacuum or brush off refrigerator coils once a year
• Regularly defrost freezer
• Don't keep the refrigerator and freezer too cold--recommended temperatures are 38 ° for frig and 5 ° for freezer
  

Heating Savers:

• Turn down the thermostat at night or when you're not home—turning back your thermostat 10 ° for 8 hours each day will save an average of 7% on your heating bills.
• Keep fireplace dampers closed unless a fire is going
• Clean heating registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; do not block them by furniture or drapes
• During the summer, close window coverings during the day to keep the sun from heating up your home
• During the winter, open window coverings during the day but close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows
• Close your storm windows during winter
• Rope caulk drafty windows ($1/window)
• If you don't have storm windows, tape heavy-duty plastic to the inside of your window frames ($5/window) Replace your furnace filters once a month during the winter ($3/filter)

Hot water Savers:

• Turn down your water heater to 120 ° --prevents scalding and saves energy
• Buy a water heater blanket ($10)
• Install a low-flow showerhead to cut down your hot water use ($10)
• Repair leaky water faucets to save hot water

Commonwealth Community Energy Project, (814) 332-2986
Box 46, Allegheny College, Meadville PA 16335
http://energy.allegheny.edu/

For More Information

Commonwealth Community Energy Project (local energy info.)
•  (814) 332-2986
•  http://energy.allegheny.edu/

PennFuture (state energy info. for action and advocacy)
•  (800) 321-7775
•  http://PennFuture.org

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (local government resources on energy and the environment)
•  (877) PA GREEN
•  http://www.dep.state.pa.us

US DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (consumer info. on energy issues and technologies)
•  (800) DOE-EREC
•  http://www.eren.doe.gov

Alliance to Save Energy (energy and public policy; consumer info.)
•  (202) 857-0666
•  http://www.ase.org/

New Wind Energy (buying electricity from wind power)
•  (866) WIND-123
•  http://www.newwindenergy.com