Faucets

The faucets in your home account for more than 15% of indoor household water use and more than 1 trillion gallons of water across the United States every year. To improve the water efficiency of your home repair leaks and consider replacing the aerator in your faucet with a more efficient one. The aerator, or screw-on tip of your faucet, determines the amount of water or the flow rate of the faucet. You can purchase an efficient aerator for less than five dollars at most hardware stores and home improvement retailers.

Thinking about replacing a faucet? Look for a WaterSense label. WaterSense faucets and accessories reduce water flow by 30% or more without sacrificing performance. Click here to learn more about WaterSense.

Lawn and Garden

In the United States, 30% of the 26 billion gallons of water consumed daily, approximately 7.8 billion gallons, is used outdoors. Water use outdoors during the summer by a household can exceed the amount of water used for all other purposes in the entire year. To reduce the amount of water you use to beautify your lawn and gardens use water-efficient landscaping and irrigation methods.

Choose plants that naturally grow well in your climate and area of the country based on rain, sun and type of soil. Preserve existing trees and shrubs whenever possible because established plants usually require less water and maintenance than new plants. Select a grass that can withstand dry periods, there are many widely available grass options that demand up to 2/3 less water than common turf grasses. Cover bare or eroding areas with shrubs, trees and other vegetation to reduce runoff.

Looking for a low-maintenance, water efficient landscaping solution? Don’t forget about re-naturalization. You can convert areas of your lawn to a natural landscape by allowing the area to grow as if the lawn wasn’t there. Within two to five years, native plants will take root and re-establish their presence to form a natural habitat.

Toilets

Toilets account for nearly 30% of residential indoor water consumption and can be a major source of water waste. Toilets manufactured before 1992 use up to 3.5 gallons per flush, if all of these toilets were replaced with WaterSense toilets it would save nearly 2 billion gallons of water per day in the United States. Be sure you fix toilet leaks to reduce water waste and improve the efficiency of your home. Click here for simple toilet leak solutions.

Prevent Water Waste

Your energy and water use are connected because in most cases electricity or natural gas are used to heat water. Water heating accounts for 19% of home energy use, improve your energy and water efficiency to save money and reduce your environmental impact.

Does that water really need to go down the drain? Be sure to turn off running faucets while you brush your teeth, take a break from the dishes or put down the hose. Not thirsty for the entire glass of water? Use the left overs to water your house plants or use it out in the garden. Consider a rain barrel, rain provides free source of  “soft water” that can be used to water gardens or wash your car and windows. On average a rain barrel can save a homeowner about 1,300 gallons of water during peak summer months, or about 40% of total household water use. Click here to learn more about the benefits of rain barrels.

Check the Blades

Are your fan blades spinning in the right direction? In the spring and summer your fan should rotate counterclockwise, sending a cool breeze down to you. Cool breezes from ceiling fans create a wind-chill effect, making you feel cooler and more comfortable at home. During the fall and winter, ceiling fans should rotate clockwise, creating an updraft that forces warm air near the ceiling down to you.

After checking your ceiling fans for counterclockwise rotation, make adjustments if your fan is wobbly. To fix a wobbly fan check to make sure the fan blades are aligned by holding a yardstick vertically along the edge of each blade. If you find a slight difference between the blades you may be able to gently bend the misaligned blade to the proper level. If all of the blades are aligned and your fan still wobbles consider purchasing a fan balancing kit. This inexpensive kit can be purchased at most hardware stores or home improvement retailers.

Adjust Your Water Heater

Warmer temperatures during the spring and summer offer a perfect opportunity for you to adjust the temperature of your water heater. Turn down your water heater a few degrees to save energy and money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, for each 10°F reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%-5% in energy costs.

You are less likely to notice a difference in water temperature if you adjust the temperature of your water heater during warm spring and summer months. During warm spring and summer months most people use water to cool down, reducing the need for very hot water. Most households usually only require a water heater setting of 120°F.

Watch the Thermostat

The weather during transition seasons can be very unpredictable. Make sure you keep an eye on your thermostat. Set your thermostat to 78°F or warmer during the spring and summer.  Increasing the temperature of your thermostat when possible reduces your cooling costs.

Consider installing a programmable thermostat to help you save energy and money, while maintaining the comfort of your home. A programmable thermostat, when programmed, will increase the temperature of your home while you are away or sleeping, then cool your home down in time for you to return after work or wake up.

Stop Drafts

Take advantage of the warmer temperatures and dry, sunny days by calking or weatherstripping your windows and doors. Those drafts of cool air that found their way into your home during cold winter months will find their way out during hot summer months. Don’t let money flow out of your home as your cool air inside find it’s way through drafty windows and doors. Caulking and weatherstripping your windows and doors can be a cost-effective solution to improving the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. Read more about weatherstripping to find the right draft-blocking solution for your home.

Keep an Eye on the Sky

Weather changes, especially rain, can lead to energy waste. Be sure to turn off sprinklers or adjust timers to stop water and energy waste during spring showers. If cooler temperatures roll in, consider switching off the air conditioner and opening the windows to take advantage of spring breezes and more comfortable temperatures.

Pull the Plug: Regardless of the order you plan to pack up your TV, gaming system, computer and other electrical appliances, pull the plug. You don’t need to pay for the vampire power your electronics and appliances are using while you pack up all of the other boxes and furniture around them.

Adjust the Thermostat: Feeling the heat while moving? Avoid the thermostat and your urge to crank up the A/C. Open doors and windows let the cool air escape, wasting energy and money. During hot summer months, increase the temperature to reduce air conditioning costs while moving. During cold winter months, decrease the temperature to reduce heating costs while moving.

Flip the Switch: Open blinds to bring in natural light. Once a room is empty be sure to turn off the lights. Are the lights on in an empty or unused room? Take action and flip the switch! With friends, family and/or movers helping with your move there is a good chance that someone might leave the lights on. Be sure to flip the switch on energy waste.

Is Your Fridge Running? Don’t clean out your fridge while it is still plugged in. Unplug your refrigerator and freezer to thaw ice and avoid energy waste before you clean it out. Too often, people will leave the fridge running while they sort through food and clean out the inside. You force your refrigerator to work harder and use more energy when you hold the door wide open while it is plugged in. Unplug your refrigerator and freezer before cleaning.

If You Smell Natural Gas in the House…
• Don’t Use Your Phone
• Don’t Smoke
• Don’t Light a Match
• Don’t Touch any Electrical Switches
• Don’t Use Anything that Could Cause a Spark
• Leave the House and Call Your Utility Provider from a Neighbor’s House, Away from the Gas Odor
• As You Leave, Open Windows and Doors if You Can do so Easily and Quickly
• Stay Away From Your House until You Have Been Told it is Safe to Return

• Appliances: If a strong and hard to trace natural gas odor is coming from an appliance be sure to leave the area and call your utility provider immediately.

• Outdoors: If you smell natural gas when outdoors, there could be a leak in an underground pipeline. Call your utility’s emergency line immediately to report the odor.

You Should Always Call Your Utility Provider…
• Before You Dig: Call your utility before you start digging for a project, most utilities will come out and mark the location of underground lines. Digging can damage underground pipes or cables, which can be dangerous and expensive. Call your utility providers to ensure your safety and prevent expensive damage before you dig.

• If a Storm Knocks Out Your Power: Don’t assume your utility knows you are without power, all too often people assume their neighbors have called. Be sure to call your utility to ensure efficient power restoration.

• If your Power Goes Out: Be sure to check your fuses or circuit breaker, look to see if there is anything unusual like fallen tree limbs on a power line, and check to see if your neighbor’s power is out. Stay away from any downed wires. Call your utility provider to report your loss of power.

Tips for Electric Safety…
• Never Place Electrical Appliances and Equipment Near Water
• Check All Electrical Cords to Ensure They are in Good Condition
• Make Sure Your Hands are Dry. Never Touch an Appliance or Switch to Turn it On or Off with Wet Hands
• Don’t Overload Extension Cords
• Don’t use Extension Cords as a Substitute for Permanent Wiring
• Keep Electrical Cords Away from Toddlers or Pets
• Cover Unused Outlets with Plug Protectors
• Be Sure You Look Up, Down and Around: Stay clear of power lines, you or what you are carrying should stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines. This is especially important with scaffolds, extension ladders and other long objects
• Don’t climb trees or fly kites near electric lines
• Check your Outdoor Wiring to be Sure it can Provide Sufficient Amperage for Your Power Tools and Heavy-Duty Equipment

Fire-up the Grill

Cooking on the stove top and baking in the oven can heat up your kitchen during warm spring and summer months. Stove tops and ovens increase the temperature of your home causing your air conditioner to work harder. Save energy and maintain the comfort of you home by firing-up the grill.

Cost of Cooking – Consumers Guide to Home Energy Savings

Let it All Hang Out

An average household will spend about $85 annually to operate their clothes dryer. Your clothes dryer is the second largest energy-consuming appliance in your home, second only to your refrigerator. The expected lifetime of a clothes dryer is 18 years, which will cost you approximately $1,530 to operate. Save energy and money by hanging your clothes out to dry. A simple clothes line and clothes pins are a low-cost investment to help you save energy during hot summer months.

Click here to learn more about clothes dryers and energy use

Adjust Timers

Using a timer for outdoor lights can help you save energy and time, but when was the last time you adjust the timer? If you haven’t adjusted your timers to accommodate the longer summer days you could be wasting energy. After adjusting the timer, monitor outside lights to ensure they are operating at the correct times.

For an average single family home, lighting accounts for 12% of energy use. Save money and energy, while reducing your environmental footprint by adjusting lighting timers to prevent energy waste.

Go Solar

Let the power of the sun illuminate your sidewalks, driveway and yard. Solar sensors can be added to outdoor lighting for effortless lighting and energy efficiency. Ever wonder if you remembered to turn the outside lights off when you left for work? Solar sensors can take the mystery out of outdoor lighting, while preventing energy waste.

Install small solar lights along sidewalks and walkways to improve safety and energy efficiency. Outdoor solar lights can be found at large retailers and hardware stores near you.

Take it Outside

Stop! Can you take your activity or project outside? We often miss the opportunity to take it outside. Many activities and projects can be done outside. You can reduce the amount of energy you use to cool and light your home when you spend time outside. Enjoy the sunshine and save energy when you take it outside this spring and summer.