| Energy Saving Tips "What can you do to control energy costs?" Here's a few tips that will help you save energy, save money and live comfortably from the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. - Make sure your home's insulation levels are appropriate.
- Wash full loads of laundry and use energy-saving settings.
- Turn off lights or install timers in rooms you aren't using.
- Install a programmable thermostat and set according to season.
- Cook smarter by using the microwave whenever possible and match the size of your pan to the heating element when using your stove top.
- Turn off the television when no one is watching-especially HD sets since they use more electricity than standard sets.
- Take a shower instead of a bath.
- Wash dishes early morning or in evening, and use the air-dry setting on your dishwasher.
- Tune up your heating and cooling systems every fall and spring.
- Clean or replace filters on your furnace, air conditioner and heat pump regulary.
- Use an air-conditioner with a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating of 13 or higher.
- Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees F, and install an insulating blanket.
- Look for the Energy Star label when replacing aging, inefficient appliances.
- Caulk any holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.
- Address old, leaky windows. Boost efficiency with weather-stripping or replace with energy efficient models with a U-factor of .30 or lower and with low-emissivity (low-E) coatings.
- Apply window coatings, especially on west facing windows.
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