Energy Savings Tips
 Go Green Today!
Regardless of the economy, there is no better time to save energy and $ for your home. Put some of the following suggestions to work for immediate savings.
No Costs
•Don’t block heating outlets with furniture or other objects.
•In winter months keep window shades and drapes open during the day to naturally warm your home.
•Close window shades and drapes at night to help insulate against heat loss.
•Keep traditional fireplaces closed and the dampers shut when not in use.
•Shorten showers; cutting shower time in half can cut your water heating costs by 33%.
•Turn off all unnecessary appliances and lights. Keep them unplugged and put your computer and monitor to sleep.
•Start using energy saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers.
•Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
 Small up-front cost
•Insulate hot water pipes and ducts.
•Make sure your water heater has an insulating blanket.
•Install low flow showerheads, again saving on hot water expenses.
•Replace your furnace’s air filter before every heating season begins.
•A programmable thermostat can save you up to 15% on your heating bill.
•Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps.
Best Investments
•Only a small percentage of homes built before 1980 are efficiently insulated.
•Replace your windows and siding with high-efficiency windows and siding, which will reduce your heating and cooling costs significantly and pay for themselves in the long run.
•Purchase Energy Star qualified products and appliances for your home. 
•Use your microwave. It uses two-thirds less energy than your stove.
•Your dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand. Then let dishes air-dry to save even more!
•Having lots of food in your fridge keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open. So your fridge doesn't have to work as hard to stay cool.
Cutting back unnecessary energy use is an easy way to reduce energy consumption while saving money.
Set your thermostat to 75 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees or off when you are away. Using ceiling or room fans allows you to set the thermostat higher because the air movement will cool the room. (Save: 1 - 3 percent per degree, for each degree the thermostat is set above 72 degrees)
•Do your laundry efficiently by using the warm or cold water setting for washing your clothes. Always use cold water to rinse clothes. (Save: 4 percent)
•Line dry clothes whenever you can. (Save up to 5 percent)
•When you need to use the dryer, run full loads, use the moisture-sensing setting, and clean the clothes dryer lint trap after each use. (save: 0.5 percent)
•Conserve energy by running your dishwasher only when it is fully loaded, and turn off the dry cycle and air dry dishes instead. (save: 1 percent)
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Cap City Home Remodeling
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