Summer Cooling Tips:
• Use a programmable thermostat to cool your home before you
The following is a list of common electricity-users in your home.
The chart estimates the average amount of energy used by each
device. Use the chart to estimate your own energy bill and to
determine ways to put cash back in your pocket each month.
return home and to reduce your daytime energy usage.
• Use shades or awnings on east/west facing windows to reduce
solar heat gain.
• Change your air conditioning filter at least once a month.
• Plant trees and shrubs to shade the outdoor air conditioning unit.
Appliance:
Avg. Monthly
kWh Usage
Refrigerator/Freezer (19 cu. ft. - 1984 purchase)----------------116
Refrigerator/Freezer (19 cu. ft. - 2003 purchase)----------------- 45
Avoid blocking airflow around the unit.
• Use a ceiling fan only when the room is occupied.
• Make sure that the return air vent is free from obstruction.
Clothes Dryer (5 loads/week) ------------------------------------- 91
Clothes Washer (front load - 5 loads/week) ---------------------- 44
• Check the clothes dryer vent to see that all air is exhausted outdoors.
• Seal duct joints with mastic (see “Heating and Cooling”).
Clothes Washer (top load - 5 loads/week)------------------------ 86
• When replacing your air conditioning system, select one with the
Dishwasher (4 loads/week)--------------------------------------- 60
ENERGY STAR® label.
Dishwasher (4 loads/week - no heat drying)--------------------- 47
Winter Heating Tips:
Ceiling Fan (12 hours/day)---------------------------------------- 44
• Install weather-stripping on doors and windows.
• Use a programmable thermostat to heat your home before you rise
in the morning.
• Install R-30 to R-38 insulation overhead.
• Use caulking where two building materials meet on the house
exterior.
• When replacing your heating system, you will save in the long run
by selecting one with the ENERGY STAR® label. A ground source unit
Lighting (2 60-watt bulbs - 10 hours/day) ----------------------- 36
Lighting (2 15-watt compact flour. - 10 hours/day) -------------- 9
Pool Pump (3/4 HP - 8 hours/day)-------------------------------205
Spa (varies - heat, pumps, & cover) --------------------- 138 to 550
Computer & Monitor (4 hours/day)------------------------------- 33
is most efficient for heating, cooling, and water heating.
Sleep Mode PC all the time --------------------------------------- 18
Comfort Advantage
Water-bed heater (covered) -------------------------------------117
Comfort Advantage homes are built with energy efficiency in mind,
as well as comfort and quality of life. Ask your representative to assist
you in meeting Comfort
Advantage requirements.
Measuring Electricity:
A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the use of 1000 watts of electricity for one hour.
National Average Cost per kWh = 11.9¢ residential (Your cost may be
different.) Source: Energy Information Administration, 2008.
Saving Home Energy Dollars
Recommended Thermostat Settings
Saving Home Energy Dollars
Large Appliances
When paying your electric bill, do you wonder which appliances use
Large appliances like the refrigerator, freezer, clothes dryer, washer,
the most household energy? Solving that mystery is the first step in
and dishwasher are sources of significant energy use. When shopping,
controlling your energy cost while maintaining the desired degree
look for the ENERGY STAR® label identifying an energy efficient
of comfort. See the pie chart, center right, and check out the
appliance.
Summer Savings
SETTING
80
79
78
77
76
75
74
73
72
following energy tips.
Lighting
Heating and Cooling
Lighting energy varies widely with usage habits. Compact fluorescent
Sealing ductwork joints is the single most effective measure for
bulbs are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs
saving energy in 80% of homes. Use non-toxic, fibrous mastic that
and provide the same amount of light.
is specified by the manufacturer for duct sealing. Also make sure
that the duct connection to the sheetrock or floor is sealed, so that
Average Energy Usage
airflow goes into the rooms and not into the attic or crawl space.
Electronics
You can hire a professional heating and cooling dealer. For
Lighting
at your local home improvement store online at
www.doityourself.com/duct/repairsealheatingducts.htm. Also
check out this website: www.doi.gov/oepc/reports/cgr_ducts.pdf.
Water Heating
Water heating is the second largest energy user in most homes.
Turning the temperature down to 120-125 degrees and installing a
water heater insulation blanket will save energy. You can use a
timer to heat water before you wake in the morning and before you
Ref./
Freezer
11%
Heating
and Cooling
3%
(Based on 92° outdoor temperature)
6%
9%
12%
Washer/
Dryer/DW
(with water heating)
washer and an ENERGY STAR® dishwasher.
Winter Savings
45%
SETTING
14%
Water Heating
(showers, etc...)
return home in the evenings.
To reduce water heating energy, select an ENERGY STAR® clothes
14% less
7% less
Set here or higher
7% more
14% more
21% more
28% more
36% more
42% more
Other
Remove duct insulation before applying and replace it afterwards.
“do-it-yourself,” note instructions from the mastic manufacturers
COST
The breakdown of home energy cost varies greatly according to the size of
home, utility rate structure, number of occupants, efficiency of
construction/equipment, usage habits, and weather patterns. Heating and
cooling percentage can vary from 17% to 70%. For more information online
customized to your home, go to: www.homeenergysaver.lbl.gov/
80
78
76
74
72
70
68
66
64
COST
71% more
59% more
47% more
35% more
24% more
12% more
Set here or lower
12% less
24% less
(Based on 51° outdoor temperature)