{"id":10109,"date":"2024-02-14T20:45:59","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T20:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wcpower\/?page_id=10109"},"modified":"2024-02-28T21:26:38","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T21:26:38","slug":"saving-energy-and-money","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wcpower\/resource-center\/saving-energy-and-money\/","title":{"rendered":"Saving Energy and Money"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"panel-pane pane-custom pane-1\">\n<div class=\"pane-content\">\n<h3>Save Energy: 100+ Ways to Save Energy<\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-pane pane-custom pane-2\">\n<h2 class=\"pane-title\">Buildings, Heating and Cooling: At Home and Around the Office<\/h2>\n<div class=\"pane-content\">\n<ol>\n<li>Replace incandescent bulbs with LED&#8217;s<\/li>\n<li>Turn lights off in rooms not being used<\/li>\n<li>Use timers on lights<\/li>\n<li>Install dimmer switches<\/li>\n<li>Re-seal \/ caulk windows<\/li>\n<li>Install storm windows<\/li>\n<li>Replace older windows with high-performance windows<\/li>\n<li>Re-seal doors around the frame and the bottom<\/li>\n<li>Replace older or damaged doors<\/li>\n<li>Add insulation in attics and crawl spaces that border the outside<\/li>\n<li>Repair any roof damage<\/li>\n<li>Repair any exterior wall damage\/add insulation<\/li>\n<li>Plant trees for shade<\/li>\n<li>Plant short dense shrubs close to foundation to insulate against cold<\/li>\n<li>Install roof or cover on outside deck<\/li>\n<li>Install solar panels<\/li>\n<li>Install a wind turbine<\/li>\n<li>Cover bare floors for heat retention<\/li>\n<li>Install an energy-efficient heat pump<\/li>\n<li>For winter, set thermostat to 68-70 degrees during the day and reduce it to 65-68 degrees at night<\/li>\n<li>For summer, set thermostat to 72-75 degrees during the day and increase to 76-78 degrees at night<\/li>\n<li>In the warmer seasons, open windows at night to capture the cool breeze<\/li>\n<li>Place fans in windows on cooler summer days instead of using the A\/C<\/li>\n<li>Lower thermostat in winter and raise it in summer when leaving the house<\/li>\n<li>Avoid heating or cooling unused areas and rooms<\/li>\n<li>Avoid overheating or cooling your home<\/li>\n<li>Replace furnace and A\/C filters regularly<\/li>\n<li>Give A\/C an annual tune up<\/li>\n<li>Repair leaky ducts<\/li>\n<li>Keep furniture, carpeting, and curtains from blocking registers and return ducts<\/li>\n<li>Use shades, blinds, and drapes in summer to block the sun<\/li>\n<li>Use\/install ceiling fans<\/li>\n<li>Close fireplace damper when not being used<\/li>\n<li>Try not to use the fireplace and central heating at the same time<\/li>\n<li>Turn off fireplace pilot during the summer<\/li>\n<li>Keep garage door closed, especially in winter<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-separator\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-pane pane-custom pane-3\">\n<h2 class=\"pane-title\">Appliances<\/h2>\n<div class=\"pane-content\">\n<ol start=\"37\">\n<li>Discontinue using portable electric heaters<\/li>\n<li>Replace older and damaged appliances with Energy Star rated appliances<\/li>\n<li>Repair refrigerator door seals<\/li>\n<li>Avoid opening refrigerator\/freezer doors to browse<\/li>\n<li>Let hot foods cool before placing in refrigerator\/freezer<\/li>\n<li>Clean the back of refrigerator regularly<\/li>\n<li>Unplug extra refrigerator and\/or freezer located in hot garage or utility room<\/li>\n<li>Keep freezer full as it uses less energy than an empty one<\/li>\n<li>Unplug phone charger when not in use<\/li>\n<li>Unplug appliances not in use such as coffee maker, toaster, microwave, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Use microwave or toaster oven to re-heat food instead of full-sized oven<\/li>\n<li>Use a power strip for electronics that can be easily turned off when not in use<\/li>\n<li>Turn off computer or use sleep mode<\/li>\n<li>Fill up dishwasher before running<\/li>\n<li>Turn off dishwasher heated dry setting and open door to air dry<\/li>\n<li>Wash and dry only full loads of clothes<\/li>\n<li>Wash clothes with cold water<\/li>\n<li>Vent dryer to the outside<\/li>\n<li>Avoid over drying clothes<\/li>\n<li>Hang clothes to air dry<\/li>\n<li>Grill out instead of cooking on the stove and\/or oven<\/li>\n<li>Only run kitchen and bathroom fans as long as necessary<\/li>\n<li>Check hot water pipes for leaks<\/li>\n<li>Turn off water heater when going on vacation<\/li>\n<li>Install a solar water heater<\/li>\n<li>Wrap insulation around water heater<\/li>\n<li>Reduce water heater temperature setting to 120 degrees<\/li>\n<li>Install a water heater timer<\/li>\n<li>Turn off humidifier or dehumidifier when no longer needed<\/li>\n<li>Keep generator (if applicable) well-tuned to be prepared for possible power outages<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-separator\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-pane pane-custom pane-4\">\n<h2 class=\"pane-title\">Water Conservation<\/h2>\n<div class=\"pane-content\">\n<ol start=\"67\">\n<li>Install a rain barrel to collect rainwater for plant watering<\/li>\n<li>Take shorter showers<\/li>\n<li>Take a shower instead of a bath, uses less hot water<\/li>\n<li>Capture cold water when running tap for warm or hot water, and re-use (plant watering, coffee maker, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Install a low-flow shower head<\/li>\n<li>Turn water off while brushing teeth<\/li>\n<li>Check faucets and toilets for leaks<\/li>\n<li>Flush toilet every other time (with liquid waste)<\/li>\n<li>Make sure toilet handle doesn&#8217;t stick after flushing<\/li>\n<li>Avoid overwatering with sprinkler system<\/li>\n<li>Water garden and\/or yard early morning or late afternoon to avoid high evaporation<\/li>\n<li>Landscape with drought tolerant plants<\/li>\n<li>Mulch around plants to help conserve water<\/li>\n<li>Utilize spring for irrigation on property (if applicable)<\/li>\n<li>Minimize vehicle washing<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-separator\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-pane pane-custom pane-5\">\n<h2 class=\"pane-title\">Vehicles and Transportation<\/h2>\n<div class=\"pane-content\">\n<ol start=\"82\">\n<li>A properly tuned and oiled vehicle with correct tire pressure will get better mileage per gallon<\/li>\n<li>Trade in gas vehicle for an electric or hybrid vehicle<\/li>\n<li>Ride a bike<\/li>\n<li>Walk instead of driving<\/li>\n<li>Ride a scooter<\/li>\n<li>Carpool or rideshare<\/li>\n<li>Use public transportation<\/li>\n<li>Telecommute if possible<\/li>\n<li>Try a stay-cation instead of traveling for a vacation<\/li>\n<li>Shop local and online<\/li>\n<li>Park in central location for errands and walk to each stop<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-separator\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-pane pane-custom pane-6\">\n<h2 class=\"pane-title\">Day to Day<\/h2>\n<div class=\"pane-content\">\n<ol start=\"93\">\n<li>Wear season\/weather appropriate clothing<\/li>\n<li>Wear clothing a second time<\/li>\n<li>Sleep with an extra blanket for warmth<\/li>\n<li>Dine by candlelight<\/li>\n<li>Retire to bed 30 minutes earlier and turn off lights<\/li>\n<li>Turn off the TV and play games, tell stories, play instruments, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Walk\/run outside or at the mall instead of using an electric treadmill<\/li>\n<li>Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones<\/li>\n<li>Use cloth towels and napkins instead of disposable ones<\/li>\n<li>Purchase fruits &amp; vegetables loose instead of using a plastic bag<\/li>\n<li>Bring reusable bags to the grocery store<\/li>\n<li>Mend and repair clothing instead of replacing and discarding<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-separator\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"panel-pane pane-custom pane-7\">\n<div class=\"pane-content\">\n<p>Saving energy and resources is important and beneficial for many reasons, and can improve the quality of life for yourself and others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Save Energy: 100+ Ways to Save Energy &nbsp; Buildings, Heating and Cooling: At Home and Around the Office Replace incandescent bulbs with LED&#8217;s Turn lights off in rooms not being used Use timers on lights Install dimmer switches Re-seal \/ caulk windows Install storm windows Replace older windows with high-performance windows Re-seal doors around the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1327,"featured_media":0,"parent":10053,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-10109","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wcpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wcpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wcpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wcpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1327"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wcpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10109"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wcpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10249,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wcpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10109\/revisions\/10249"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wcpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/wcpower\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}