Energy Efficiency

Tips On How to Save Energy And Money

The three major consumers of electricity in the home are the electric heating and air-conditioning, the electric water heater and the electric clothes dryer. If you are experiencing higher bills than expected, here are some simple tests you can perform to try to detect the culprit in your electrical system.

If you receive a high bill, the first thing you should do is reread your electric meter. If the reading was correctly read on the reading date listed on your bill, then it should be past that reading on the day you receive your bill. If it is not past that reading, you should call Cleveland Utilities at 423-472-4521.

You may also contact a private electrician to run a load test at your residence. This person can test each individual breaker. It accomplishes the same purpose but will be a little more accurate.

If you take meter readings every 24 hours for a week to ten days and keep a record of these readings, this will give you an idea of what activities consume the most energy. You may then want to concentrate on eliminating certain activities that use too much electricity. This exercise is also useful for recording what difference the temperature on your heating system makes. 

Quick Tips:

• Replace your home's air filter at least every one to three months. Dirty filters can waste energy by forcing your system to work harder.
• Experts recommend cleaning your air ducts every few years to improve their efficiency, lower your energy bill, and ensure clean air for your home.
• Did you know that most clothes can be washed in cold water? This uses less energy and helps clothing last longer.
• Disabling your dishwasher's heated dry feature can lower the energy cost of each cycle. Try air drying as an easy alternative.
• Set your fridge and freezer temperatures according to the manufacturer's recommendations. This avoids excess cooling and saves energy.
• Lighting alone is responsible for 12% of residential energy use. The simple act of turning off lights when not in use can easily save you money. Also, LED light bulbs are more energy efficient; they use approximately 75% less energy than incandescent lighting and emit less heat. 
• Unplug any unused or unnecessary electronic devices. Even when they are turned off, they still use energy when plugged in. 
• No peeking! Did you know that your oven temperature can drop as much as 25 degrees every time you open the door? More energy is needed to resume cooking, which adds up fast.
• Adjust your water heater settings to save up to 10% on your monthly water heating costs. Most water heaters come preset at 140 degrees, but experts recommend 120 degrees as a more energy-efficient setting.
• Insulate those forgotten places. When heating and air conditioning ducts pass through unfinished attics or basements, they can cause expensive heating and cooling losses.
• When buying a new appliance, look for the most energy efficient model in your price range.
• Check all windows and doors for proper caulking and weather stripping. This improves your home's energy efficiency by preventing costly air leaks.
• Clean your refrigerator's condensing coils every three to six months. Dirt and dust prevent the efficient release of heat.
• Shut the doors! Keep cool/warm air inside by minimizing the amount of times the doors leading outside are open and closed. 
• During warmer weather, use cooking methods that require less stovetop range or oven heat. Use the microwave or grill outside more often.