Energy Savings Tips

Summer Savings Tips

Nothing has a greater impact on energy use than the weather. In fact, the two largest uses of residential energy in Tennessee are cooling, followed closely by heating.

Even when you don’t adjust your thermostat, you will see increases in energy consumption when the temperature goes way up. Why is that? Let’s say you keep your thermostat on72 degrees and it is 75 degrees outside, your air conditioner only has to cool the inside of your home by three degrees. However, if the outside temperature is 95 degrees, your air conditioner has to cool the inside of your home by 23 degrees. It will have to run longer and use more energy to cool the climate-controlled space.

With the long hot days of summer just around the corner, Milan Public Utilities provides some simple tips to save energy and money.

Here are some small things you can do to have a big impact on your electric bills.

Use blinds and shades to keep your inside cool. Close draperies on windows in direct sunlight to keep heat out.
Make wise choices with the thermostat. The smaller the difference between the outside temperature and the thermostat setting will reduce your cooling bill. Keep your thermostat as high as you can while remaining comfortable. We recommend 74 degrees. Programmable thermostats can automatically adjust the temperature when you are not home are awake.
Keep your HVAC unit in good working condition. Be sure your filters are clean. This is a cheap but essential thing to do every month or so. Schedule regular maintenance to clean and maintain your system.

Use fans to increase comfort. Running a fan will allow you to increase your thermostat setting by 4 degrees without reducing comfort but remember to turn fans off when you leave the room. You can also use bathroom and kitchen fans to move humidity outside.
Seal the hot air out. A tube of caulk and some weather stripping can go a long way. Seal cracks to keep hot air out and cool air in.
Avoid using appliances and lights that create heat. Replace traditional lighting with LED’s that produce no heat. On hot days, avoid using ovens or stoves and instead use the microwave or grill outside.
Plant some trees. This takes some time to pay off, but it will eventually. Trees can shade your home and have a significant impact on your energy bill. Just be sure to remain mindful of your Local Power Company’s right-of-way. Don’t place trees underneath power lines, and call to have underground utilities located before performing any digging tasks.

Winter Energy Saving Tips

Hot Water:

Use less by installing a low-flow showerhead and fixing leaking spouts.
Try using warm or cold water when washing clothes. Washing one large load instead of several small ones can cut costs too.

Fireplaces:

To make sure your heat isn’t flowing out the chimney, firmly close the damper – an open damper is equivalent to keeping a full-size window open during the winter.

Plug and seal your chimney flue if you never use your fireplace.

Heating Equipment:

Once a month, check your furnace air filter and clean it or replace it – dirty or clogged filters can force furnaces to work harder, costing you more.
Clean your warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators. Make sure carpeting, furniture and drapes aren’t obstructing the heat.

Insulation

Leaky doors and windows can be a costly problem. Save money by caulking and weather-stripping those drafty areas.
Check the insulation in various areas around your home to ensure they meet the levels suggested for your region.

Thermostat

Set your thermostat at the lowest comfortable temperature possible when you’re home.
If there is a time during the day when no one is home, set your thermostat at 65 degrees instead of the usual 72. Maintaining 65 degrees for eight hours a day may cut your heating bill by as much as 10 percent.