Home Energy Tips

Improving lighting efficiency is one of the easiest and fastest ways to reduce energy use and costs.

Switch to LED bulbs. Replace incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR-qualified LED bulbs, which use up to 90 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer. They also generate up to 90 percent less heat to help reduce your home cooling costs. One LED bulb can save you up to $80 in electricity costs over its lifetime. LED bulbs are available now in a variety of trendy styles, including vintage-look Edison filament bulbs.

Turn off lights. Remember to turn off lights when you leave the room or don’t need them. Consider installing timers or occupancy sensors that automatically turn lights on and off.

Use natural, task or directed lighting. Use natural lighting or focused task lighting instead of lighting an entire room. Consider using three-way lamps, which allow you to adjust light levels as needed.

Choose the right lumens. When choosing the brightness of your LED bulbs, check the lumens instead of the watts. The greater the lumens, the brighter the light.

Use dimmable LED bulbs to create the right ambiance. Most LED bulbs are dimmable, but not all bulbs work well with every dimmer switch. If you don’t find a good match with your current dimmer, consider changing the switch.

Select the right LED hue. LED bulbs are available in a wide range of light hues. The color of light produced by the bulb corresponds to a temperature on the Kelvin (K) scale. Lower K bulbs give off a warmer, yellowish light, while higher K bulbs produce a cooler and bluer light.

Whether buying a new home or remodeling an existing home, there are many opportunities to upgrade your home’s efficiency. Investing in energy-efficient materials, equipment and building techniques and installing efficient fixtures and appliances can help you save money year after year. Here are just a few ways to save:

Efficient windows. Install double-pane or low-emissivity (low-e) windows that reflect radiant heat from the sun in the summer and keep cold air out in the winter.

Thoughtful daylighting. Strategic placement of windows and skylights can allow natural ambient lighting into your home to lower your energy costs. At the same time, they should be placed to avoid extended sun exposure.

Choose light interior colors. Light-colored walls, ceilings, floors and furniture have high light reflectance values (LRV), which naturally brighten a room and reduce your need for artificial lighting.

Choose light exterior colors. Lighter-colored roofing materials and exterior paint absorb less heat and hold up better against Arizona’s intense sun. This helps reduce your home’s cooling costs.

If you’re thinking about buying a newly-constructed home, look for a TEP Energy Smart Home. With a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 65 or less, these homes are more energy efficient, comfortable, quieter and healthful than standard construction homes and will save you money now and in the future.

When the temperature rises, so does the demand on your air conditioner. Heating and cooling costs can account for nearly half of the energy use for a typical home. Here are some ways to keep your house cool without overheating your energy bill.

Adjust the thermostat just 3 degrees. Turning the thermostat up just a few degrees up in the summer or down in the winter can add up to big savings in your heating and cooling costs. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter or to the level that’s comfortable for your family.

Invest in a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat can save you money without sacrificing your comfort. It learns your temperature preferences in about a week and then automatically adjusts to fit your schedule. You can “set it and forget it” without worrying about whether you adjusted the thermostat before leaving home for the day. If used properly, a smart thermostat can help reduce energy costs by up to 20 percent a year.

Plant shade trees. Strategically-planting shade trees on the south and west sides of your home can reduce your summer energy costs by up to 20 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Shade trees and shrubs also act as a windbreak in winter.

Caulk and weatherstrip. Caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows is an inexpensive and highly effective way to prevent drafts and air leaks and improve energy efficiency. Repair or replace caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows for a good tight seal that keeps hot air out and the cool air in.

Maintain your cooling system and change filters regularly. Reduce your home cooling costs with regular maintenance or an AC tune-up and air filter changes as recommended. This improves air flow for better efficiency and performance.

Use fans. Using ceiling or whole-house fans are a good way to keep cool air circulating in the house. Many ceiling fan models have switches that allow you to change the rotation of the blade. Run the blades counter clockwise in summer to draw up cooler air from the floor. In the winter, switch the blades to run clockwise to pull warmer air down from the ceiling.

Reduce indoor heat sources. Big screen TVs, ovens, clothes dryers, incandescent lighting and dishwashers radiate extra heat in your home when you’re trying to cool it down. Turn off the TV when you’re not watching it, grill outdoors or use the microwave oven instead of cooking inside, and run your dryer and dishwasher at night when it’s cooler. Use the delay start feature to run appliances in the evening when it’s cooler.

Install awnings or sun shades. According to the DOE, window awnings on south- or west-facing windows can reduce solar heat gain in the summer by 60 percent or more. Light-colored and tightly-woven synthetic fiber awnings or sun shades with grommets or vents are the most effective for keeping heat away from your home.

Evaporative Coolers

Commonly referred to as “swamp coolers,” evaporative systems require good air circulation and lower humidity to cool effectively. Partly open windows in each room to allow warm air to escape and fresh air to come in for cooling and circulation. You also will want to: You also want to:

Replace cooler pads at the beginning of each season to maximize your cooler's effectiveness. Use chemical water treatments to reduce scale build-up.

Clean and service the unit annually. Protect metal parts with rust-resistant paint. Lubricate the motor and bearings with non-detergent oil. Check the belt and pump to ensure they are working properly.

Consider a two-speed motor unit. A two-speed motor unit allows you to reduce the cooler's output and energy use to save energy when temperatures are more moderate.

Heating Efficiency

Careful operation and maintenance of equipment can greatly reduce heating costs. Here are some practical tips to keep your costs down:

Window coverings. Keep draperies and shades on south and west-facing windows open during the heating season to allow sunlight to enter your home. Close those window coverings at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

Adjust your thermostat. Set your thermostat at the lowest comfortable temperature to minimize your heating costs. The DOE recommends a setting of 68 degrees, but individual preferences may vary. Warmer temperatures may be needed in homes with ill or elderly persons or infants.

Save energy when you’re asleep or away from home by setting your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours. This can trim your annual heating bill by 5 to 15 percent or a savings of up to 1 percent for each degree of a setback that lasts more than eight hours, according to the DOE.

Invest in a programmable thermostat. It allows you to automatically set back the temperature after you leave home and restore a comfortable climate before your scheduled return. But these devices must be used properly to achieve energy savings, and some customers may be better off with a simpler manual thermostat.

Change your air filter each month. A simple reminder is to change your filter each month when you receive your utility bill.

Keep heating outlets and return-air grills clear of obstructions.

Fireplace tips. Fireplaces, unless specially designed or modified, are inefficient heating units. Use a standard fireplace for ambiance only. Keep the damper closed whenever the fireplace is not in use.

Use humidity to warm your home. Humidity inside the house in the winter helps the air feel warmer. Washing clothes and dishes and watering plants adds moisture to the air, making you feel more comfortable without having to turn up the thermostat.

Limit the use of portable space heaters, which are good for heating small areas but do not warm an entire home efficiently.

The building envelope includes everything that separates the interior of the building from the outdoor environment: the doors, windows, walls, foundation, roof and insulation. All of these components need to work together to keep a building warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Your home's insulation, for instance, will be less effective if the roof, walls and ceiling allow air to leak in or allow moisture to collect in the insulation.

There are ways to determine how energy efficient a building really is and, if needed, what improvements can be made. Homeowners can conduct simple energy audits on their homes or have professional audits done.

Insulation

Checking your home's insulating system is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy waste. A good insulating system includes a combination of products and construction techniques that provide a home with thermal performance, protect it against air infiltration and control moisture.

You can increase the comfort of your home while reducing your heating and cooling needs by up to 30 percent by investing just a few hundred dollars in proper insulation and weatherization products. Always follow instructions on the product packaging and wear the proper protective gear when installing insulation.

Consider several factors when selecting insulation. Your climate, building design and budget should be considered when selecting the R-value of insulation for your home. The R-value measures the insulation’s resistance to conductive heat flow.

Use higher-density insulation, such as rigid foam boards, in cathedral ceilings and on exterior walls.

Allow adequate ventilation. Ventilation plays a large role in controlling moisture and reducing summer cooling bills. Attic vents can be installed along the entire ceiling cavity to help ensure proper airflow from the soffit to the attic, helping to make a home more comfortable and energy efficient.

Reduce heat loss from fixtures. Recessed light fixtures can be a major source of heat loss, but you need to be careful how close you place insulation next to a fixture unless it is marked. "I.C." – designed for direct insulation contact. Check your local building codes for recommendations.

Air Ducts

Ducts that leak heated air into unheated spaces can add hundreds of dollars a year to your heating and cooling bills. Insulating ducts that are in unconditioned spaces is usually very cost effective. If you are installing a new duct system, make sure it comes with insulation. And be sure to get professional help when doing ductwork. A qualified professional should always perform changes and repairs to a duct system.

Check your ducts for air leaks. First, look for sections that should be joined but have separated and then look for obvious holes.

Use mastic, butyl tape, foil tape, or other heat-approved tapes. Look for tape that has been tested and certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory, such as Intertek, NSF, MET Labs or Underwriters Laboratories.

Avoid using cloth-backed, rubber adhesive duct tape. If used to seal your ducts, this type of tape tends to fail quickly.

Use an electric heating tape to wrap water pipes and drains. Water pipes and drains in unconditioned spaces could freeze and burst if the heat ducts are fully insulated because there would be no heat source to prevent the space from freezing in cold weather. However, using an electric heating tape wrap on the pipes can prevent this. Check with a professional contractor.

Be sure a well-sealed vapor barrier exists on the outside of the insulation on cooling ducts to prevent moisture condensation.

Water Heaters

Repair leaky faucets promptly. A leaky faucet wastes gallons of water and can waste energy if the leak is in a hot water faucet.

Reduce the temperature setting to 120 degrees, as recommended by the National Safety Council. This will save some of the energy used to heat water for your washing machine and dishwasher while reducing the possibility of scalding injuries.

Install water-saving shower heads and low-flow aerators on kitchen and bathroom faucets.

Consider replacing your water heater with a new, high-efficiency model, or even a solar water heating system.

Use a timer. For electric water heaters, install a timer that can automatically turn the hot water off at night and on in the morning. A simple timer can pay for itself in less than a year.

Consider insulating your hot-water storage tank, but exercise caution and always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. For electric water heaters, don’t cover the thermostat. For natural gas systems, don’t cover the water heater’s top, bottom, thermostat or burner compartment. Consider insulating the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater. When in doubt, get professional help.

Refrigerators and Freezers

Consider location. Place your refrigerator and freezer in a cool, well-ventilated location and, when possible, some distance from the range or oven. Avoid placing a second refrigerator in a hot garage, which will keep the unit working overtime to try to stay cool.

Clean dirt and dust from condenser coils frequently to help your refrigerator operate more efficiently.

Test your refrigerator temperature and adjust the setting to maintain the correct temperature (37-40 degrees). To check refrigerator temperature, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. To check the freezer temperature, place a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.

Check door seals for proper fit to avoid air leaks. If you can easily slide a credit card between the door and the frame, adjust or replace the seal.

Washers and Dryers

Clean the dryer's lint filter after every load to improve air circulation.

Wash full loads of clothes, but don't pack them so tightly that air cannot circulate freely. In the summer, wash during cooler times of the day and evening.

Hang-dry your clothes outside on sunny days if possible.

Use the cold water setting. Wash your clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents whenever possible.

Make sure the dryer is vented properly to the outside.

Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material, not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.

Use the moisture sensor. If your dryer has a moisture sensor, use it so that the dryer will  automatically shut off when your clothes are dry. Not only will this save energy, it will save wear and tear on your clothes caused by over-drying.

Ranges and Ovens

Use the lowest possible temperature setting to prepare food.

Preheat only if the recipe calls for it.

Match the pan size with the cooking element on stove tops.

Cover pans to cook food faster and conserve fuel.

Use a microwave oven to reheat leftovers and small dishes.

Use a crock-pot instead of an oven if possible.

Dishwasher

Run full loads when possible.

Use the energy-saving or eco setting.

Use the humidity from the dishwasher to help warm your home. In the winter, open the door to your dishwasher after the rinse cycle to allow dishes to air-dry. This saves energy and humidifies the air, making it feel warmer. In the summer, use the machine's air-dry setting, and only wash dishes during cooler times of the day and night.

Swimming pools provide a great way to exercise and beat the summer heat, but maintaining one can increase your household energy costs. Here are some ways to reduce your pool’s energy use:

Select the right size. Choose the smallest pump and the largest filter suitable for your pool.

Cover your pool to prevent heat evaporation and reduce pool heating costs by up to 85 percent. Covering your spa as well will keep your water warmer during colder months.

Reduce the run time. Reduce your pool pump’s run time from 8-12 hours in the summer to just 6-8 hours in the winter.

Reduce the hydraulic resistance of the pool's circulation system wherever possible.

Circulate water with the pump for the shortest time possible (often fewer than 3 hours).

Install an accurate timer to control the pump's cycling.

Keep in mind that all pools are different. Certain factors, such as special cleaning and heating needs, climate, pool size and usage, will all affect your pool’s circulation needs and potential energy savings.