Energy-Saving Tips

The energy used in the average home can be responsible for more than twice the greenhouse gas emissions of the average car. When you use less energy at home, you reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and help protect our environment from the risks of global climate change.

A Do-It-Yourself Guide to ENERGY STAR® Home Sealing: Sealing Air Leaks and Adding Attic Insulation
Easy Ways to Save Energy and Money at Home

Water Heating
Appliances
Kitchen
Laundry
Air Conditioning
Refrigeration
Lighting
Other Resources

Water Heating

• To save on both water heating and water, install a low-flow showerhead in your bathroom(s). Easily installed with a wrench or pliers, a low-flow showerhead can cut water use as much as 50 percent and still feel great.
• Attach low-flow aerators to kitchen and bathroom faucets. For a family of four, this can save up to 8,500 gallons of water a year. Aerators allow the faucet to flow stronger while actually using much less water.
• Avoid running water continuously while doing dishes, washing up, brushing teeth, or shaving. Try filling up the sink and using a stopper instead.
• Wrap the hot water pipes coming out of your water heater with insulation. Wrap those pipes nearest the heater first for greatest savings.
• Set the thermostat to 120°F or less for normal use, and lower the setting whenever you will be away from home for extended periods. For every 10° you set back your water heater temperature, you cut energy use 3 to 5 percent. (Note: Some dishwashers may require a higher minimum temperature setting. Check your owner's manual.)
• Most newer water heaters are well-insulated. However, if the side of your water heater feels warm near the top, you can cut heat loss by installing a water heater insulation blanket. (First, check your owner's manual to make sure that this step won't void the manufacturer's warranty. If the warranty period has expired, this is not a problem.) Make sure to use the appropriate type blanket for your water heater, whether it's electric, gas, or oil. An insulating blanket will pay for itself in one year or less! Follow the manufacturer's installation instructions carefully.

Appliances

• By looking to ENERGY STAR® for best practices and products, you can reduce your energy use and save up to 30% on your utility bills (that’s $600 annually). Visit www.energystar.gov for more information.
• Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers.

Kitchen

• When you can, cook many dishes together when using the oven. If the dishes call for separate temperature settings, just set it in the middle. Adjust cooking times rather than using the oven twice.
• Cook with lids on your pans. For example, cooking spaghetti without a lid on the pot can use three times as much energy.
• Use the smallest pan and burner needed for the job.
• If the oven self-cleans, turn it on just after use, while the oven is still hot.
• Don't peek into the oven as you cook. Every time the door is opened, a lot of heat escapes.
• Contact a qualified heating contractor if your gas burners have a yellow flame instead of blue. Yellow flames may mean the gas is not burning efficiently.
• Seek alternative cooking sources. A pressure cooker cuts cooking time by about two-thirds, and a microwave uses less than half the energy of a conventional electric oven.
• Many dishwashers have energy-saving wash cycles that use less water. Using these cycles can save $5-15 per year.
• Avoid running small loads in your dishwasher.
• A no-heat air dry feature also can save energy by as much as 15 to 50 percent. If you have an older dishwasher, turn the dishwasher off after the final rinse cycle is complete and open the door. This allows air drying.
• Some dishwashers have heaters to boost water temperature up to 140° or 145°F. However, most dishwashers function well at the 120°F setting. If your dishwasher has a booster heater, turn down your water heater thermostat to 120°F.
• If you wash dishes by hand, fill wash and rinse basins instead of letting the water run. This uses half as much water as a dishwasher does.
• Use cold water when running your garbage disposal. Cold water congeals grease better and keeps the disposal cooler, helping the unit run more efficiently.

Laundry

• Load washers and dryers to capacity, but don't overload. Overloading can cut down on efficiency.
• Use the water level control on clothes washers. Use less water for smaller loads.
• Use the right water temperature for washers. Washing clothes with cold water usually does not affect cleaning results and may reduce shrinkage.
• Follow detergent instructions carefully. Using too much soap makes the washing machine motor work harder.
• Remember that delicate clothes don't require as long a wash cycle as dirty work clothes.
• If the dryer has an automatic cycle, use it. Over drying wastes energy and wears clothes out faster.
• Clean the dryer’s lint filter after each load to help keep the machine running efficiently.

Air Conditioning

• Check the filter at least once a month during the warm season and clean it as needed.
• Use the fan setting at night when the air outside is cool, or open a window and leave the air conditioner off. Keep windows closed whenever the air conditioner is on.
• Use the air conditioner's timer and set it to turn on no more than 30 minutes before you expect to return home.
• The lower you set your temperature, the more it will cost. For example, a 75° setting will cost about 18 percent more than a 78° setting.
• Plant hollyhocks, clematis, vines, or other shade-producing plants in front of east- and west-facing windows to reduce the need for air conditioning.

Refrigeration

• Set the temperature of your refrigerator compartment at 36° to 38°F and the freezer at 0° to 5°F. For older models, check temperatures with a thermometer.
• Make sure the fan vent is clean and keep the coils at the back of the refrigerator clear of dust. Dirty coils make the compressor work harder and use more electricity.
• Keep the refrigerator door gasket (the plastic strip surrounding the door) airtight and in good condition. If needed, you may be able to repair or reattach it with glue. If not, the manufacturer or a local hardware store can supply you with a new one.
• Keep your freezer tightly packed, adding bags of ice as needed to fill space.
• Defrost whenever more than one-quarter inch of frost accumulates.
• Arrange items in the refrigerator compartment to allow air to circulate freely. Keep liquids capped so they don't add to the humidity and make the compressor work harder.
• Keep the refrigerator door closed as much as you can. Organizing items makes it easier to find what you need quickly.
• On humid days, use the "power saver" switch, if you have one. When this switch is on, small heaters keep the outside of your refrigerator from "sweating." On other days, turn the switch off.
• Defrosting frozen food in the refrigerator helps keep the refrigerator cold.

Lighting

• For each standard incandescent bulb you replace with a compact fluorescent bulb, you can save $10 or more on your electric costs over the life of the bulb (see chart below). You get more hours of illumination (compact fluorescents have a life expectancy of 10,000 hours, compared to 750 to 900 hours for standard bulbs) and three to four times more lighting efficiency.
• When buying bulbs, look for the highest lumens-per-watt ratio. Lumens measure the amount of light a bulb gives off, while watts measure how much energy a bulb uses. A typical lumens-per-watt ratio for an incandescent bulb is 15:1. This compares to 60:1 for a fluorescent bulb.
• Use brighter bulbs in areas where you do close-up work such as reading, cooking, and home projects. Use less-bright light in other areas.
• Keep light bulbs and fixtures clear of dust and other particles. Clean bulbs give off more light than dirty ones. Use natural light whenever you can. Make the most of natural light by moving desks, reading chairs and work benches closer to windows. Keep in mind that lighter colors for walls, ceilings, and floors reflect more sunlight.
• Replace outdoor floodlights with halogen lamps, or use motion detectors. A 50- or 90-watt halogen lamp can replace a standard reflector bulb that has twice the wattage. Motion detectors save energy and money by turning on lights only when needed. Before installing, be sure to read the package instructions carefully to determine if the wiring in your home can handle a motion sensor.

Guidelines for Replacing Incandescent Bulbs with Fluorescent Bulbs

Other Resources

The U.S. Department of Energy

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy

ACI — A nonprofit organization dedicated to making homes energy efficient, comfortable, and affordable.

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships — A regional nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the efficient use of energy in homes, buildings and industry in the Northeast US through various programs, policies, services and practices.

International Energy Program Evaluation Conference — A professional conference for energy program implementers, evaluators of those programs, federal and state agency representatives and academic researchers.

New Buildings Institute — A nonprofit organization that works with national, regional, state and utility groups to promote improved energy performance in commercial new construction.

Energy Saving Community — Provides information about how to work with your community to save energy.

Energy Smackdown — National Grid is proud to sponsor the Energy Smackdown, an innovative community outreach project that challenges and supports participating individuals, households, and organizations to reduce their own energy consumption and educate others. Visit the Energy Smackdown web site to learn about the project and watch informational webisodes.

MassSAVE — MassSAVE is a public/private partnership that was created to help Massachusetts residents save money through energy conservation.

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