Conservation Tips & Tools
PrintFree Home Energy Audit
Review our energy saving tips and helpful links below, and manage your energy usage with PSREC’s Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit (PDF).
Track your daily use in a log with PSREC’s Member Daily kWh Use Log (PDF).
If you need assistance isolating problem areas that make your home inefficient, please contact us or fill out our Energy Audit Survey. If necessary, we can visit your home or business and recommend ways to reduce energy costs. During an audit, PSREC will examine potential problems you may be having with air infiltration, insulation, duct sealing, energy-hog appliances, water heating, air heating and cooling systems or other special equipment that may be working improperly. Visit the Department of Energy website to learn more about ways to save energy.
Conservation Tips and Tools
Below are links to information and online calculators to help you estimate the cost of operating your appliances, powering your home and finding cost and energy-saving information. Also visit our Low Income Assistance page.
Seal air leaks around windows, doors and wall penetrations. Inspect and repair insulation in attics and crawlspaces. Proper insulation and air sealing can save up to 30% on your home’s heating and cooling costs. To learn more view the Energy Resources videos at EnergySavers.coop.
Turn thermostats down in the winter and up in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically raise and lower home temperatures for energy savings by day and night. Watch a video about programmable thermostats from the EPA’s Energy Star program.
Heat where you are when you are there. Use space heaters to add heat to small rooms, instead of raising a central heating thermostat. Learn more with our document Choosing The Right Electric Space Heater (PDF).
Clean and dust light fixtures to ensure they give out as much light as possible.
Choose energy saving lighting options. Learn more from Bill Martin, a former member and friend of PSREC.
Use your microwave or toaster oven. It’s more efficient than either a gas or electric oven.
Turn off all unused lights and appliances, or plug into a “smart strip”.
Turn your water heater down; the recommended setting is 120° F.
Clean the lint filter on your clothes dryer after each load and periodically check exhaust ducts for leaks or blockage.
Keep your freezer full. Frozen food helps keep other food frozen, which means less work for your freezer. If necessary, use gallon water jugs to take up empty space.
Check the seal on your refrigerator and freezer with the dollar-bill test. Close the door on a bill so that part of it is left outside. Then try to pull the bill out of the door. If it comes out easily you should install a new seal.
Vacuum refrigerator and freezer coils and clean door seals every few months to improve efficiency. Dirty coils can cost you 30 percent more on the operating cost of your appliance during the year. Dirty seals allow air infiltration, further taxing your appliance.
Position your refrigerator at least four inches from the wall if it has back coils. Keep the main compartment between 36° F and 38° F; keep the freezer between 0° F and 5° F.
Haul away that old “energy hog” refrigerator or freezer in the garage. PSREC will give you $50 to dispose of it. Fill out our Appliance Rebate form for this and other energy efficient rebates and incentives.
View our Winterization Checklist (PDF) for your vacation home.
Other Helpful Links
A Pocket Guide to All-Electric Retrofits of Single-Family Homes
Compare Home Heating Costs: Use this tool to estimate what your annual heating costs would be using different heating systems. Make sure to check our rates page for current rate information.
Together We Save: Your source to save energy and money with tips and how-to videos.
Home Energy Saver: Identify the best ways to save energy in your home from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator: Calculates potential savings from replacing an old refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR refrigerator. From ENERGY STAR.
Energy Savers | Department of Energy: A federal web site to help households reduce their energy bills by making homes more energy efficient. The site includes resources for homeowners, contractors and builders, building managers, realtors, and states.
Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home (PDF) – find tips on ways to save energy at home and in your car.
Eartheasy: A great source for those hard to find Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs and Light Emitting Diodes (LED) Bulbs.
