Peak Oil Task Force Report - City of Bloomington - State of Indiana

“Power Down” at Home
Electricity
Simple changes at home can make a big difference. Residents can reduce energy costs by
10‐50% by implementing relatively simple measures such as the following: 248
• Adjust your thermostat. For every degree that you lower your heat in
the 60‐70º range, you can save up to 5 percent on heating costs in the
winter. Similar savings can be achieved by raising your thermostat by a
few degrees in the summer.
• Lower your hot water temperature. Set your water heater to the
"normal" or 120º setting.
• Replace or clean furnace filters once a month. Dirty filters restrict
airflow and increase energy use. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated,
and properly adjusted can reduce heating costs by as much as 5 percent.
• Insulate your water pipes. Insulating the first five feet of pipe coming
out of the top of your water heater can save considerable energy. Pipe
insulation is available from your hardware store.
• Seal air leaks. Caulk leaks around windows and doors. Look for places
where you have pipes, vents or electrical conduits that go through the
wall, ceiling, or floor. Check the bathroom, underneath the kitchen sink,
pipes inside a closet, etc. If you find a gap at the point where the pipe or
vents goes through the wall, seal it up. Caulk works best on small gaps.
Your hardware store should have products to close the larger gaps.
• Consider replacing your old gas appliances. If your gas water heater
is over 12 years old, consider replacing it with a newer, more efficient
ENERGY STAR model. The best indicator of a water heater's efficiency is
the Energy Factor (EF). The higher the EF, the more efficient the water
heater. If your furnace is over 15 years old, consider replacing it with an
ENERGY STAR rated model that is at least 15 percent more efficient than
standard models.
• Wash clothes in cold water.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
• Air dry your clothes. Put up a clothesline.
• Turn off your computer, monitor and other appliances when not in
use.
248 Parts of this list are borrowed from: Bloomington Environmental Quality Indicators Report (BEQI Report)
Energy­Saving Tips. http://bloomington.in.gov/documents/viewDocument.php?document_id=2987
Report of the Bloomington Peak Oil Task Force 213