Quick Tips for Energy Savings

The typical U.S. family spends $1,900 per year on utilities,* and much of that is spent on wasted energy. But lowering your heating bill doesn’t mean you’ll have to wear sweaters to bed and read by candlelight! There are plenty of painless changes you can make to reduce your spending. For more tips, visit the California Energy Commission's Consumer Energy Center.**

• Use a programmable thermostat. During the winter, set it to lower the temperature at night or when you're away. During the summer, set the temperature higher when you're not home.
• Don’t do the dishes!  Dishwashers use less hot water than hand-washing. Set yours to the air-dry function for even more energy savings.
• Stop peeking into your oven. Opening the door while baking will lower the oven temperature 25 degrees!
• Install aerators on faucets and lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees. Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home.**

These small steps might seem insignificant, but they could make a big impact on your energy bill.

*Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/
** Web site provided for information only. No endorsement is implied.