Energy Conservation Checklist

Use this page as a checklist of energy efficiency measures that you can take to bring the New Energy Economy to your home:

Space Heating and Cooling

In the winter:

• Turn your thermostat down to 68° daytime, 60° at bedtime and when leaving home.
• Clean or replace furnace filter every month.
• Keep vents clean and clear of furniture.
• Close vents and doors to unused rooms.
• Close fireplace dampers when not in use.
• Close the heat registers and shut the doors of unoccupied rooms.
• Seal leaky ducts.
• Remove window-mounted air conditioners each fall.

In general:

• Install a programmable thermostat
• Have your heating system every two to three years by a HVAC professional.
• Make sure your fireplace is sealed when it's not being used.
• Consider weather-stripping, caulking and insulation to control air infiltration.
• Insulate air ducts that run through unheated basements, crawl spaces and attics.
• Consider a technical energy audit to help identify air leaks.
  

In the summer:

• Keep thermostat set at 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher if you have ceiling fans.
• Keep the house closed tight during the day and ventilate at night naturally or with fans.
• Use ceiling fans to increase comfort level.
• Delay heat-generating activities such as using a dishwasher or clothes dryer until evening on hot days (even better - skip the clothes dryer and hang your laundry outside to dry).
• Properly maintain air conditioners to maximize efficiency.
• If using central air conditioning, replace your furnace filter every month.
• Consider an evaporative cooler instead of an air conditioner. They work well in Colorado's climate, and use one quarter of the energy.

Insulation

• Identify and install the best insulation for your home. Be sure to seal air leaks before adding insulation.
  

Appliances

• Purchase ENERGY STAR appliances.
• Defrost refrigerators and freezers regularly.
• Line dry clothes whenever possible.
• Separate clothes and dry similar types together.
• Dry full loads, but be careful not to overload.
• Dry two or more loads in a row to take advantage of the heat still in the dryer from the first load.
• Clean the lint trap after every load.
• Cook food in covered pans and match burner size to size of pan.
• Dust or vacuum refrigerator and freezer coils at least once a year.
• Keep the top of your refrigerator uncluttered to allow for proper air circulation to the compressor.
• Maintain your refrigerator at three-quarters full to allow room for air to circulate around the food.
• Avoid holding the freezer or refrigerator door open unnecessarily.
• Allow hot food items to cool before putting them into the refrigerator or freezer.
• Cover foods and liquids because uncovered/items release moisture into the refrigerator compartment, increasing energy use.
• On electric stoves, use only flat-bottomed pans that make full contact with the heating coils.
• The temperature of the refrigerator compartment should be 36 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit; the temperature of the freezer compartment should be 0 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
• When purchasing new appliances, compare energy efficiency labels.
  

Home Electronics

• Consider purchasing computers and home office equipment that have low-energy settings.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR electronics when possible.
• Unplug electronic device chargers when not in use.
• Plug electronics into a surge protector and turn it off when not in use to avoid "phantom load" (the use of electricity even when turned off or in standby mode).

Lighting

• Turn out lights in unoccupied rooms.
• Keep light fixtures clean.
• Switch to energy-efficient bulbs.
• Take advantage of natural day lighting.
• Use motion sensors automatically turn off indoor lights when you leave a room. Motion sensors can also be used on outside lights.

Water Heating & Water Conservation

• Lower water heater temperature setting to "warm" or 120° F.
• Take shorter showers and install low-flow showerheads.
• Install faucet aerators.
• Wash laundry in cold water.
• Repair leaky faucets.
• Insulate your water heater
• During the summer, water the lawn before dawn, when evaporation is less likely.
  
• Use energy-saving cycles (no-heat or air-dry) on your dishwasher.
• Run the dishwasher only when it's full, but not overloaded.
• Scrape dishes before loading them into the dishwasher.
• Wash clothing when you have a full load, or adjust the water setting for the appropriate load size.
• Avoid purchasing bottled water. Refill a reusable bottle instead.