Nishnabotna Valley REC
Energy Efficiency
Tips and Tricks for Saving Energy:
- Set your air conditioner thermostat at 78 degrees or higher. For every degree you set the thermostat below 78 degrees, you use 3 to 5 percent more electricity.
- Change or clean your air conditioner filter once a month. Dirty filters reduce efficiency by restricting airflow.
- Close drapes during the day to keep heat-producing sunlight out.
- Avoid using the stove or oven on hot days. Instead, use the microwave, grill outdoors or serve a cold summer meal.
- Adjust your dishwasher so dishes dry without heat.
- Close the damper on your fireplace.
- Clear outdoor air conditioning units and heat pumps of debris and shrubbery so they can work more efficiently.
- If you are redecorating, consider painting or covering walls and ceilings with white, cream or other light colored tints to reflect the maximum amount of light.
- By cleaning the dirt and dust from light bulbs and shades, you can increase the output of your lighting systems by as much as 20 percent.
Vacation Tips:
- Shut off the inside water.Even in summer, pipes can burst or leak, letting water gush until you get home. There's no need to drain the pipes.
- Even if your appliances and computers are plugged into power strips, unplug them.
- Set your central air conditioning system at 78 degrees rather than turning it off so the house won't get humid enough to promote mildew growth in the basement or upstairs ceilings.
- Set indoor and outdoor lights on timers so it appears your house is occupied at various intervals.
- Don't pull all the shades down, your home will appear closed up, telling passers-by that no one is home.
