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Use a microwave rather than
electric range to prepare meals (a microwave uses less electricity than a
range).
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Wash and dry clothes after the
evening peak demand for electricity has passed (usually after 9:00 pm).
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Wash clothes in cold water and
use a strong concentrated detergent like Tide or Gain.
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Run your dishwasher when you
retire for the evening (energy efficiency setting).
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Change the air filter every 30
days. Some people change the filter every time they get their power
bill. A dirty air filter reduces air flow, making the blower work
harder.
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Turn lights off when leaving a
room. If no one is in the room, there might not be a need to have the
lights on at that time.
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Consider replacing incandescent
lights that are used for extended periods of time with fluorescent
lights. Fluorescent lights use lower wattage for the same light output
and they don’t give off as much heat.
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Close drapes or blinds during
the day, especially on the south and west side of the house. Radiant
heat from the sun warms the objects in a room, causing the cooling
system to work harder.
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Use the economy setting on
refrigerators, freezers, and water heaters any time they will do a
sufficient job at this setting. Energy is wasted if you keep
refrigerators and freezers colder than necessary.
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Check for leaks in duct work.
Most leaks can be found with a simple inspection. It is common for a
cooling system with a little age to have a few leaks, especially at
joints.
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Check the temperature in the
attic during the hottest part of the day, if it is over 135 degrees,
additional ventilation would be beneficial. Extreme heat in the attic
increases the load on the cooling system.
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During the summer, if you have a
crawl space, open the vents under the house to allow cool air to
circulate.
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Check around doors and windows
for cracks that might allow infiltration. Caulking and weather stripping
are inexpensive and usually can be done without hiring someone. For the
small cost, they pay big dividends.
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Try to leave doors closed as
much as possible. Every time you open a door, whether it is the door on
your house or the door on your refrigerator, you are letting cool air
out and warm humid air in.
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During the summer, ceiling fans
are inexpensive to operate and moving air feels cooler than still air.