Replace your home's five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR and save $70 each year in energy costs.
The bathroom vanity is one of the highest-use fixtures in the average home. ENERGY STAR Certified CFLs provide bright, warm light, use less energy, and generate less heat than standard lighting. Keep in mind that high humidity can shorten the life of CFLs. To avoid moisture problems, control humidity in your bathroom by running your ventilating fan during and 15 minutes after showers and baths. You can find ENERGY STAR Certified fixtures in hundreds of popular styles, including vanity lighting, at home improvement and hardware stores, lighting showrooms, and other retail stores including online outlets.
Pledge to replace light fixtures and bulbs with ENERGY STAR Certified lighting products.
Remember to always turn off your lights when leaving a room.
Install a properly sized ENERGY STAR Certified ventilation fan to control moisture in the air while you shower or bathe, as well as control mold and mildew growth. Run your fan for 15 minutes after showering.
ENERGY STAR Certified ventilation fans 60% less energy on average than standard models, saving more than $60 in electricity over the life of the fan. They are quieter and use high-performance motors and improved blade design, providing better performance and longer product life. Certified models can be found at many home improvement stores or from you HVAC or electrical contractor. Also be sure the fan duct leads to the outdoors to prevent moisture problems.
Learn how to prevent moisture problems.
Learn how to prevent mold, mildew, or musty odors.
Many people now work from home. While this saves time and money on commuting, it can increase home energy bills.
Use ENERGY STAR Certified fixtures and light bulbs. Remember to always turn off your lights when leaving a room.
Home office lights are often used for many hours a day. ENERGY STAR Certified desk lamps or compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) provide high-quality light output, use 75% less energy, and last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs, saving money on energy bills and replacement costs.
Pledge to replace light fixtures and bulbs with ENERGY STAR Certified lighting products.
Make sure that the connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet the floors, walls, and ceiling. These are common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork. Also make sure that all vents are clear of any furniture or rugs to improve air flow and comfort. If your home has radiators, place heat-resistant reflectors between radiators and walls. In the winter, this will help heat the room instead of the wall.
Seal holes around outlets with an inexpensive outlet gasket.
Use a power strip as a central "turn off" point when you are done using equipment.
Even when turned off, electronic and IT equipment often use a small amount of electricity. U.S. households spend approximately $100 per year to power devices while they are in a low power mode, roughly 8 percent of household electricity costs. Using a power strip for your computer and all peripheral equipment allows you to completely disconnect the power supply from the power source, eliminating standby power consumption.
Unplug battery chargers or power adapters when equipment is fully charged or disconnected from the charger.
Save energy and space with an ENERGY STAR Certified multi-function device that combines several capabilities (print, fax, copy, scan). Make sure power management features are enabled for additional savings.
Pledge to purchase ENERGY STAR Certified home office equipment.
The living room is a gathering spot for family and friends to spend quality time. It's also a place where you can take simple steps to be more energy-efficient.
Replace your highest-use fixtures or the light bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR models.
Living room table and floor lamps are two of the most used light fixtures in a home. Conventional torchiere lamps also can be the highest wattage light fixtures in the home. ENERGY STAR Certified lighting fixtures and replacement bulbs can be found at home improvement and hardware stores, lighting showrooms, and other retail stores, including online outlets.
Depending on when and how you operate them, ceiling fans can provide comfort and help you save on your energy bills.
- In the winter, your ceiling fan can help improve your comfort. Most fans have a switch that allows you to reverse the motor and operate the ceiling fan in the opposite direction. This produces a gentle updraft, which forces warm air near the ceiling down into the living space.
- In the summer, check to make sure your fan is blowing air downward to help you feel cooler. On hotter days, dialing up the thermostat by only two degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. Use low wattage CFLs in the ceiling fan light fixture for cooler light bulbs and more energy savings. And remember: Ceiling fans cool only people, not the room, so when you leave the room, turn the ceiling fan off.
Pledge to replace light fixtures and bulbs with ENERGY STAR Certified lighting products.
Remember to always turn off your lights when leaving a room.
During cold weather, take advantage of the sun's warmth by keeping drapes open during daylight hours. To keep out the heat of the summer sun, close window shades and drapes in warm weather.
Use a power strip as a central “turn off” point for electronics, video games, and computers when not in use.
All these tips and more may be found at: www.energystar.gov
