Conservation Tips

10 Easy ways to Save Energy and Water

  • Turn down the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F and insulate the water heater tank.
  • Keep your heating and cooling systems in tip-top shape. They run more efficiently and last longer.
  • When buying a new appliance, look for the most energy efficient in your price range.
  • Turn off the lights as you leave the room.
  • Use natural sunlight to light your home and warm up a room in the winter. In summer, use shades or drapes to keep your rooms cool.
  • Install a shower flow controller. It reduces the flow of water without diminishing the shower spray.
  • Fix leaky faucets quickly. One drip per second wastes about 6,000 gallons of water a year.
  • Water your lawn early in the morning or in the evening when there is less evaporation.
  • Keep a bottle of water in the refrigerator instead of running tap water until it is cold enough to drink.
  • Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. This saves energy too.

Energy Saving Tree Tips

  • Plant shade trees around your house, where space allows, keeping your home cooler during the summer and providing a shield from cold winter winds.
  • When planting shrubs around your heat pump or air conditioning unit, be careful not to restrict air flow to the unit.
  • Plant shrubs close to your home to help keep cold and hot air from blowing directly into your foundation and crawl space. However, do not block foundation vents so that needed airflow under the house is not disrupted.
  • Plant a row of large evergreen trees on the most windward sides of your property to disrupt cold winter and hot summer winds. In our area, these would be the northwest and southwest sides as most of our winds come from these directions.

Energy Adviser Tools

Get quick estimates of your home's current energy-use costs. See how much you can save just by making a few changes.