Energy saving tips to use throughout the year

• Be sure to turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Turn off machines when you leave a room (examples include TV’s, computers, radios, stereos, video games, VCR’s, and DVD players).
• When you go away on a trip, be sure to unplug these same machines because they have stand-by functions that consume electricity even when they are turned off. 
• Fill your dishwasher efficiently and limit the number of times you run it.
• Don’t put furniture and other things in front of heating and air conditioning vents.
• Keep doors and windows closed when heat or air conditioning is on.
• Check how much electricity your water heater uses. If it uses more than other models of water heaters, replace it with a more efficient one.
• Put insulation around the pipes going in and out of your water heater. If you have an older water heater, put an insulated blanket around it.
• If you will be out of town for more than a couple days, turn off your water heater.
• Turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth and take shorter showers. This will not only save water, but it will also save the electricity that it takes to pump and heat the water.
• Make use of daylight hours and do not turn on lights and lamps.
• Use one large light bulb instead of a few small ones. One 100-watt light bulb uses less energy and gives off more light than two 60-watt bulbs.
• Use fluorescent light bulbs because they use 75% less energy and last longer than incandescent light bulbs.
• Vacuum the coils of your refrigerator every few months in order to lower your energy bill and to keep the condenser working better.
• Use the lid on your pot while cooking. The food will be cooked faster.
• Turn off the stove 10 minutes before your food is ready,the heat will continue to cook the food and you'll save energy.
• Defrost food before you bake or microwave it. This uses 1/3 less energy than if you baked food that was still frozen.
• Wash full loads of clothing instead of smaller ones. Use the coolest water possible for washing and rinsing the clothes.
• Clean the lint filter of your dryer after every load.