Make sure roof ventilation is adequate to prevent heat buildup in summer and moisture buildup in winter.
Attics are a large source of energy loss, which can be improved with upgraded insulation and proper ventilation.
More than 50% of the energy used in a typical American home is for space heating and cooling. Much of that conditioned air escapes through poorly sealed, under insulated attics.
Only 20% of homes built before 1980 are well insulated. Properly dealing and insulating your attic can save you up to 10% annually on energy bills.
To save water during a shower, turn off the water while lathering. Those 3 minutes daily can save 6,000 gallons each year!
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth, shaving and washing your face.
To find toilet leaks, squeeze a few drops of food coloring into the tank. You have a leak if it seeps into the bowl without flushing.
If your toilet was installed before 1992, reduce the amount of water used for each flush by inserting a displacement device in the tank.
Using a water cistern to store and reuse rain- water reduces your monthly irrigation water bill. OUC has a rebate for that.
Take shorter showers and conserve water at the same time. Use a kitchen timer to alert you when you have reached 5 minutes.
Replace toilet handles that repeatedly stick in the flush position.
Test your shower head: if it fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace it with a low-flow alternative.
Set goals. Once goals are set, you can track your progress, compare your results with others, and share tips about what works best for you.
Maintenance Matters. Take time to schedule an appointment for annual maintenance to your air conditioner right now.
It's more than just a chore! Cleaning your windows lets in more light, reducing the need for lamps. Let that daylight in!
Window film can help reflect heat in the summer. And OUC has a rebate for that.
Use natural light at work when possible to save energy. Set up your desk closer to windows.
Maintenance Matters. Plan to change or clean your air filter monthly. Set a reminder in your calendar.
If your home was built before 1980, chances are you need more insulation. Injected wall foam is an option; OUC has a rebate for that.
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You'll see more savings if you replace at least 5 bulbs with CFLs in your home. Try starting in the kitchen, bathrooms and dining room.
Your OUC bill shows your consumption history. Learn how to read it and begin to track your consumption to make changes to lower your bill.
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Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.
Turn off your computer when you are done working.
Renewable upgrades may involve up-front costs, but pay off in the long run. Utilize OUC programs to make the upgrade as easy as possible.
Check for federal tax incentives for heating and cooling systems; you could save up to $1,500.
Look for a commercial car wash that recycles water.
High performance windows can block heat from entering your home. And OUC has a rebate for that.
Help your air conditioner run more efficiently by closing doors and vents to rooms not being used.
Spring cleaning conserves! Dust your lampshades and bulbs to let more light through.
For every degree you turn your thermostat up in warmer months, you'll save about 3% on your utility bill.
What does a dirty filter cost? A lot more than a new one, thats for sure. Dirty filters can make A/C systems 50% less effective.
Use floor and ceiling fans to create gentle breezes to keep you and your family comfortable.
Caulking hard to reach areas isnt easy with the traditional gun; instead try using a big plastic syringe from a pharmacy to get the job done.
Check your ceiling fan to make sure it's spinning the right way. Stand under it; if you feel a draft, then it's right for summer.
Turn off the lights and dine by candlelight.
Consider a solar-water heater for your pool. With no moving parts, they're unlikely to corrode and almost always outlast their warranties.
Hybrids deserve the hype. You could save $200-$1,500 in fuel costs each year by choosing an efficient vehicle that meets your needs.
Use a broom to sweep your driveway instead of water.
Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation and keep the soil moist.
Plant a shade tree in your yard to block light and heat from raising your energy bill.
Adjust sprinklers so they water your lawn and not the driveway or sidewalk.
Put a rain barrel on your downspouts and use this water for your plants. Rain cisterns come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
In the winter, algae in your pool is slower to grow. Use this opportunity to run your pump less and save.
Install a rain gauge to automate meeting your lawn's water needs.
Start from the top! A reflective roof can save you money by directing heat away from your home. Even better, OUC has a rebate for that.
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Planning your garden for water conservation? Plant native trees and shrubs they need less water.
Taller grass shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if closely clipped. Check your lawn mower setting to see if it can go higher.
Install solar-powered lights along your outdoor walkways. You'll be safer, and there's no wiring or electricity costs involved!
When sprinkler heads generate a lot of mist, plants are robbed of water because of evaporation. Consider a pressure regulator.
EnergyStar Efficient water heaters can save you up to $450 a year.
Considering an electric vehicle? OUC provides charging stations at Reliable Plaza for public use.
Turn off your water heater while on vacation and pocket some extra spending money.
Check your car's tire pressure to gain a 4% increase in gas mileage.
Drain the tank. Draining a quart of water from the water heater tank prevents sediment buildup which affects efficiency.
Empty your trunk of unnecessary items to increase fuel economy. For every 100lbs removed, you increase your efficiency by 1%.
A fuller freezer and refrigerator use less energy. Use gallon jugs of water to take up unused space.
Use a brush and bowl full of water to wash vegetables. Then water your plants with the leftover water.
Water your plants with leftover water from drinks instead of pouring it down the drain.
Soak dirty dishes rather than running water continuously before placing into the dishwasher.
A smaller oven uses less energy. Use your microwave or toaster oven for cooking small meals.
Cover your food before storing in your refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture, causing your compressor to work harder.
When you use your oven, double your recipe and freeze one for later. Reheating dishes saves energy and time.
Ceramic and glass pans retain heat better than metal, which means you can use less heat and save energy.
The optimal temperature for your refrigerator is between 36 and 42 degrees.
Turn on a flashlight, place it in the fridge and shut the door to test its seals. If you see light, the door is not properly sealed.
Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean. They will reflect the heat better and save energy.
Don't use the dry feature on your dishwasher. Let dishes air dry and save energy.
Allow hot food to cool to room temperature before placing into the refrigerator. Warm food releases heat, causing your fridge to work harder.
While waiting for hot water to come out of the faucet, catch the water and use it to water your plants.
Garbage disposals require a lot of water to operate efficiently. Consider throwing your waste directly into the trash.
Low-flow faucets reduce water consumption by as much as 50%, while reducing the demands on the hot water heater.
Scrape dishes, but don't pre-rinse. Let the dishwasher do the work and save time and water.
Freezer Fact: Check the thermostat in your freezer; it should be between 0 and 10 degrees.
Get a convection toaster oven. It cooks food faster and uses less energy than a traditional one.
Air-dry your lightest fabrics. It's easier on your delicate clothes, and you won't need to use the clothes dryer.
A warm dryer takes less time to heat. Bundle your loads so your dryer doesn't have to reheat for each load.
Only run your clothes washer when you have a full load to save energy and water.
Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.
Did you know that it costs nearly 7 times as much to dry your clothes as it does to wash them?
Time to replace that old dryer? Look for one with a moisture sensor. You'll save energy and wear and tear on your clothes.
Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.
Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
Only wash laundry in full loads to avoid wasting water, or use a water level setting if your machine has one.
Plasma screens use almost double the energy of LCD-screens.
Turn off background lights and use a small focused lamp when reading or working on small tasks. Save even more energy by using a CFL.
Ceiling fans make you feel 3-4 degrees cooler, meaning you can raise your thermostat and still feel fine.
Fish tank water is full of nutrients. Use it to water your plants the next time you clean the tank.
Spring cleaning conserves! Dust your lampshades and bulbs to let more light through.
Close curtains or blinds on south- and west-facing windows during the day to block sunlight from heating your home or apartment.
Replace a regular bulb that runs for more than 3 hours a day with a CFL and see more savings.
Close curtains or blinds on south- and west-facing windows during the day to block sunlight from heating your home or apartment.
Use blinds and drapes on the inside of your home to block the sun and save energy.
Get the kids to turn off video games (TV and console) after they're done playing, and you'll win back about $100 per year.
Get grilling! Keep your house cool by cooking outside on the grill.
Heading outside for a barbecue or to relax on your patio? Replace lanterns or other yard lamps with outdoor solar lights.
Double glazed insulated windows in your sunroom will help to reduce UV rays and the heat from entering the space.
Close it. When you're grilling, keep the hood closed to save energy and shorten cooking times.
Replacing a window? Make sure your new windows have UV filters on the glass to reduce heat gain. This is especially important for windows in a sunroom.
Install awnings on south- and west-facing windows or your porch to block sunlight from directly entering your home and raising your energy consumption.
If using a propane gas grill, shut down the grill before cooking is completed. With lava rocks or ceramic briquettes on the bottom of the grill, there is plenty of heat retained to finish cooking a meal