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What You Can Do


      Tips For Homeowners and Renters

  1. Heating your space
  2. Cooling your space
  3. Home Office
  4. In the Kitchen
  5. In the Laundry Room
  6. Lighting
  7. Outside maintenance
  8. Waste and Recycling
  9. Water Heating and Use
  10. More resources for homeowners and renters
  1. Heating your space

    • Keep your furnace well maintained
      Keep your furnace well maintained and change or clean furnace filters every couple of months. Dirty air filters block airflow and can damage the heat exchanger. More on furnace tune-ups.
    • Look for the ENERGY STAR® label
      Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on windows and sliding glass doors. These energy-efficient products reduce energy costs and create less condensation. Visit ENERGY STAR.
    • Lower your thermostat
      Your home probably uses at least half the total energy of your household. For an average single-family home with electric heat, that means almost $800 per year at current rates. Lowering the thermostat at night and when you are away during the day provides optimal savings.
    • Install one of today’s energy efficient furnaces
      It can save you up to 25% of your home heating costs each year, reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and, depending on the efficiency of your old furnace, pay you back for its higher initial cost in about seven years.
    • Install storm windows
      The amount of energy that escapes through American windows every winter is the equivalent of all the oil that flows through the Alaska pipeline each year. If your current windows are single-glazed, storm windows will add an extra layer of protection. Windows can account for up to 25% of total house heat loss. More on windows.
    • Seal and insulate warm air-ducts
      Aluminum duct tape can easily seal leaks and reduce duct air leakage by up to 25%. Insulation can also reduce heat loss from unheated areas, such as the basement or crawl space. More on sealing ducts.
    • Upgrade your insulation
      Upgrade insulation in walls, the basement and attic. Insulating your basement walls and attic can reduce your energy bill by as much as 30%.
    • Use caulking and weather-stripping to seal air leaks
      Get a professional to help you reduce your home heating needs by up to 20% by getting rid of drafts and leaks around windows, doors, baseboards and attic hatches. At the same time, seal electrical outlets and switches on outside walls with foam gaskets; on inside walls, use childproof plugs or combination cover plates. More on sealing leaks.
    • Install a ceiling fan
      Change the direction of the fan to push warm air down in the winter. This especially benefits houses with electric baseboards or high cathedral ceilings. If you need a fan with lights, choose one with compact fluorescent lights to further reduce electricity use and heat buildup in summer.
    • Keep blinds, curtains and windows closed during the day in summer
      This helps keep your home cooler and reduces cooling costs.
    • Keep window curtains open during the day in winter
      This allows passive solar energy into your home and can save you up to 5% on home heating. Close the curtains in the evening to retain heat.
    • Remove window air conditioners for the winter
      If fixed in place, seal them with caulking or tape and cover them with an airtight, insulated jacket to avoid heat loss.
    • Replace exterior doors
      Replace exterior doors in poor repair with insulated core doors or add storm doors.
    • Shut off the pilot light
      Shut off the pilot light of your natural gas fireplace or wall heater during summer months. If you don’t know how to relight the pilot light, ask your heating contractor to show you during your next servicing.

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  2. Cooling your space

    • Clean the air conditioner’s filter
      Clean the air filter every month, as a dirty one reduces airflow and may damage the unit. Clean filters enable the unit to cool down quickly and use less energy. If you have a central air conditioner, regularly clean a re-usable filter or change the filter at the beginning of the cooling season.
    • Set your air conditioner to 78°F
      Set your air conditioner lower and raise it when you go out, or set your programmable thermostat to do this. For each degree set below 78°F, you use about 3% more energy. This recommended setting will give you the most comfort at the least cost. More tips on cooling,
    • Turn off all sources of heat
      Turn off all sources of heat, such as lights, appliances and electrical equipment, when not in use. In summer, if you can, do your baking, washing, drying and ironing early in the morning or in the evening.
    • Use fans
      Use fans as your first line of defense against summer heat—they are far less costly to operate than air conditioning. Some fans use up to 98 percent less than conventional air conditioning equipment. More tips on fans.

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  3. Home Office

    • Ensure your computer system is set up to use its energy-saver option
      Machines are often shipped with this feature disabled. If you buy an ENERGY STAR®-qualified computer, the power-saving feature is automatically set.
    • Buy a monitor that is the right size for your needs
      Generally, the larger the monitor, the more energy it consumes, with the exception of an LCD monitor.
    • Turn off lights and equipment when a work area isn’t being used
      Even better, if you don’t need them, don’t turn the lights on in the first place. Natural light saves energy and is easier on your eyes.
    • Use as little paper as possible
      Printing, photocopying and faxing use energy. Use e-mail more often – it is quicker, less expensive and healthier for the environment—if the emails aren’t printed out. Also use recycled paper whenever possible.
    • If you are buying a laser printer, look for energy-saver features
      Units that automatically switch to standby when not in use reduce electricity consumption by more than 65%.
    • Look on the box for ENERGY STAR®-qualified equipment
      ENERGY STAR ® equipment will keep your home energy use, emissions and costs down.

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  4. In the Kitchen

    • Increase the efficiency of your refrigerator and freezer
      Keep them away from heat sources (direct sunlight, furnace vents and radiators) and appliances (oven, stove and dishwasher) that can make them work harder to stay cool. At the same time, check the temperature settings. Keep your refrigerator temperature between 35 – 38°F and the freezer compartment at 0°F for maximum efficiency and safety. More on refrigerators.
    • Look for an ENERGY STAR®-qualified refrigerator
      Look for an ENERGY STAR®-qualified refrigerator if you’re in the market for a new one. For example, a 2004 model uses less than half the electricity of a unit built 10 years ago. More on refrigerators and appliances.
    • Maintain your refrigerator and freezer for better energy use
      Clean the refrigerator heating coils regularly. When you clean them, check the condition of the coils and components at the back of the unit. Keep the rubber door seals clean and tight. They should hold a piece of paper snugly. If the paper slips out easily, replace the seal.
    • Select the dishwasher’s no-heat or air-drying cycle
      Turn off the electric element that heats the interior of the unit and causes the water to evaporate. It is easy to do and will save on your electricity bill. Scrape off your dishes instead of rinsing them and run the dishwasher only when it is full. More on dishwashers.
    • Unplug that second refrigerator or freezer
      This tip is particularly important if they are older, less-efficient models.
    • More kitchen tips

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  5. In the Laundry Room

    • Avoid over-drying clothes
      Clothes should dry in 40 to 60 minutes. Better yet, hang clothes outdoors to dry when the weather permits. If you are buying a new dryer, look for one with a moisture sensor. It will turn off automatically when clothes are dry. More clothes drying tips.
    • Rinse in cold water and wash in warm
      Electric washers and dryers can consume as much as 25 percent of the electricity used at home, including hot water for the wash. Clothes rinsed in cold water come out as clean as those rinsed in warm water. Washing in warm rather than hot water uses 50 percent less energy, and your clothes will come out just as well rinsed and, depending on the fabric, less wrinkled. More washing tips.

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  6. Lighting

    • Install outdoor automatic timers
      You won’t have to remember to turn your outdoor lights on in the evening and off during the day. Installing a timer can cut your outdoor lighting energy use by up to half. Or use motion detectors that switch on automatically when people move close to them and switch off after a few minutes.
    • Use more-efficient light bulbs
      Replace five of the most used standard bulbs in your home with ENERGY STAR®-qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs and save on your electric bill. More on CFLs.
    • More lighting tips.

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  7. Outside maintenance

    • Avoid using chemical pesticides or fertilizers
      Avoid using pesticides or fertilizers on your lawn and garden. Chemical fertilizers are a source of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas. Try using organic products – they are better for our environment and healthier for your lawn and your family.
    • Capture rainwater for your garden
      The water you use for your lawn doesn’t have to come from a tap. A cistern or a rain barrel will capture and store rainwater for irrigation. Make sure your barrel is covered with a tight-fitting lid or screen to keep disease-carrying mosquitoes from breeding there.
    • Limit your use of gas-powered lawn mowers
      Using a typical gas-powered mower uses gas and produces greenhouse gas emissions. Gas mowers also produce lots of particulate matter, a significant air quality concern in Puget Sound , over the course of a year—as much as an average car driven from Seattle to Phoenix.
    • Plant trees
      A well-placed line of evergreens on the north side of your home can shelter it against cold winds and reduce your home’s demand for heat. Similarly, shade trees on the south side can keep your home cooler in summer and reduce the need for air conditioning by shading your home’s windows and walls.
    • Practice “grass cycling”
      Leave grass clippings on your lawn where they quickly break down and add needed nutrients to your lawn—or put them out with your yard waste for collection.
    • Water your garden or lawn early
      Water your garden or lawn early in the morning to reduce losses due to evaporation. More than half of the water applied to lawns and gardens can be lost due to evaporation or run-off because of over-watering. More on watering.

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  8. Waste and Recycling

    • Compost your organic kitchen waste
      You can compost fruits, vegetables, tea bags and coffee grounds, as well as leaf and yard waste. Compost makes valuable fertilizer and reduces the amount of waste in landfills. You can also place your kitchen waste in your yard waste bin for collection.
    • Pay attention to goods and packaging
      Evaluate your purchases and consider how they contribute to your household waste. Buy more durable goods and re-usable products. And ask for products with less packaging. And check out EcoDeals.
    • Recycle all recyclable materials
      Find out what materials can be recycled and challenge your household to make sure those materials don’t get thrown in the garbage. More on recycling.

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  9. Water Heating and Use

    • Avoid running the tap
      Avoid running the tap while shaving, brushing your teeth or doing dishes. Partially fill the sink with water and stop about 80% of that clean water from going down the drain – along with your money.
    • Go for a high-efficiency water heater
      High-efficiency water heaters heat water only when you need it, rather than storing hot water in a tank. You’ll notice the savings on your electricity bill. More on water heaters.
    • Install a low-flow showerhead
      Make sure you have a low-flow showerhead and faucet installed—they can save you hundreds of dollars a year in electricity and water costs. Click here to request a free one.
    • Insulate water pipes
      Insulate water pipes to reduce heat loss. Insulate the first six feet of the hot- and cold-water pipes from the water heater. A significant amount of heat travels through these pipes and can be lost, particularly through unheated areas such as basements and crawl spaces. For safety, don’t place any pipe insulation within 6 inches of the exhaust vent at the top of standard natural gas/propane or oil-fired water heaters, and never insulate plastic pipes. If you have an electric water heater, insulate the tank for further energy savings.
    • Take a quick shower
      Take a quick shower instead of a bath. A five-minute shower, for instance, uses up to 50% less hot water than a bath.
    • Turn off your water heater when you go on vacation
      It wastes energy and money to keep water hot when it isn’t needed—and it doesn’t take long to heat up when you return.

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  10. More resources for homeowners and renters

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