Western Massachusetts did get snow last night and that, combined with the extremely cold temperatures of late, inspired a look back at some energy saving tips that were included in one of our annual reports. They are definitely worth repeating.
Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents
Air-dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle
Use a microwave oven instead of a conventional electric range or oven
Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use
Plug home electronics, such as TVs and VCRs, into power strips and turn power strips off when equipment is not in use
Take showers instead of baths to reduce hot water use
Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes
Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows that leak air
When the fireplace is not in use, keep the flue damper tightly closed
Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable, and consider an automatic setback thermostat to save additional money
Clean or replace filters on furnaces every other month
Make sure that warm air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators are not blocked by furniture, carpets, or drapes
Close your curtains and shades at night; open them during the day to let the sun in during the winter and close during the day to keep the sun out in the summer
These are all easy to implement and will not only reduce utility bills, but will help the environment. Also, check out the MA Department of Energy Resources for additional tips for staying comfortable this winter. Look for their Energy Smarts Blog.
Stay warm and safe.
