Start saving with these easy energy saving ideas:

Today

  • Contact the Columbia Gas Partners in Energy program to schedule a home energy assessment
  • Turn your water heater temperature down to 120 degrees F.
  • Set your thermostat back five degrees while you are asleep or away from the house for eight hours or more. Or install an automatic setback thermostat so you will not forget to adjust the temperature. It can slice as much as 8 to 10 percent from the amount of energy used to heat your home.
  • Use energy-saving settings on all appliances.
  • Turn off exhaust vents as soon as they have done their job.
  • Load washers and dryers to capacity, but don't overload. Overloading can cut down on efficiency. 
  • Check for open fireplace dampers. 
  • Don't peek in the oven as you cook. Every time the door is opened, heat escapes. 
  • Clean your oven while it is still warm from cooking.
  • Keep lids on pots to boil faster, and cook several items on your stove at once.
  • Use your dishwasher only for full loads, unless it has a partial-load feature.
  • Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners.
  • Keep doors on attached garages closed.  

This week

  • Caulk and glaze drafty windows.
  • Buy low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and fluorescent light bulbs.
  • Wash clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot. Never rinse in warm - if your clothes do not rinse in cold, you are using the wrong detergent.
  • Wrap the hot water pipes coming out of your water heater with insulation. Wrap those pipes nearest the heater first for greatest savings. 
  • Keep your freezer tightly packed, adding bags of ice as needed to fill space. 

This month

  • Clean and replace filters on furnace, air conditioner and heating pump. Replace your furnace filter each month or according to the manufacturer recommendations.
  • Check insulation in your attic, outer walls and basement or crawl space for the R-level appropriate for your area, and add more if necessary.
  • Make sure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained. 
  • Insulate hot water pipes and ducts, especially in unheated areas.
  • Seal large air leaks that whistle on windy days, especially around piping and vent openings in sidewalls.

 This year

  • Replace inefficient appliances with energy-saving ones.
  • Upgrade leaky windows with higher insulation values and/or install storm windows.
  • Plant shade trees and shrubs on the west side of your house to reduce air conditioning costs. Plant evergreens on the north side to block cold winter winds.