Re-Energize Your Home: Energy-Saving Tips - Puget Sound Energy

TOP WAYS TORE-ENERGIZEYOURWATER HEATINGWater heaters are the second largest energy users in mosthomes. How much energy are you using every time you turnthat tap to “H”?Water heater• Set your water heater thermostat to 120°F or the “low”setting• If your water heater is leaking, replace it• Inspect your pressure/temperature relief valve andreplace it if it is leaking• When shopping for a new water heater, select a highefficiencymodel by looking for the lowest operatingcost shown among the yellow Energy Guide labels ofvarious models. Also, look for ENERGY STAR qualifiedmodels or those with higher Energy Factor ratings6

RE-ENERGIZE BYADDINGINSULATIONTO YOUR HOMEIf your home was built before 1980, chances are there’ssome room for improvement in the insulation department.That’s because back in the day, building and energy coderequirements were less strict about the amount of insulationrequired in a newly-built home.Insulation• Hot air usually rises, so make sure there is at least 12 to18 inches of insulation in your attic ceiling• Insulate around crawl space hatches and gaskets• Floor insulation costs less but saves less energy while,wall insulation is more expensive but returns moresavings• Ensure that your duct system is properly insulated,particularly if it runs outside the home or through yourattic or crawl spaces to your central heating systemP.S. Adding insulation to a manufactured home is a bitmore complicated and expensive. Look for a contractorthat specializes in this type of work and investigategovernment or utility programs that provide funding forweatherization services for income-eligible residents.10

RE-ENERGIZE BYADDINGINSULATIONTO YOUR HOMEMulti-tasking is Re-EnergizingAdd insulation when upgrading other parts of your hometo save time and money.11

RE-ENERGIZE BYUSING SMARTHEATINGTECHNIQUESBut what about…• Winter vacations? Select an appropriatetemperature setting before you leave and aska trusted neighbor or relative to increase thesettings should the weather become much colder.Investigate new technology that allows you toadjust thermostats remotely• Mold? On dry, sunnier days, open windows todry problem rooms. If this doesn’t work, heat theproblem rooms just enough to discourage mold andmildew growthAll heating systems are uniqueThe following chart gets down to specifics when itcomes to keeping your particular heating systemrunning efficiently.13

RE-ENERGIZEWITH THESE TIPS FORUSING LESS ENERGYThermostat settingsElectric or natural gas furnaceWhen people are present andactiveWhen people are sleepingWhen individual rooms areunoccupiedWhen no one is home68°F or the lowest comfortable setting7°F to 10°F lower or the lowestcomfortable setting68°F or the lowest comfortable settingOff or the lowest settingReducing the space that is heatedElectric: Close doors to only a few roomsand do not close more than ¼ of thehome’s heating registersNatural gas: Do not close any heatregisters and leave all doors slightly openEquipment operationKeep room heat registers and return airgrills clear of furniture and rugs to promotegood air flowInstall a programmable thermostat to avoidthe cold “wake-up” or “return from work”experience and still achieve energy savingsMinor equipment maintenanceVacuum accumulated dust from the returnair grill(s)Check the furnace filter at the beginningof each heating season. Change or cleanthe filter every two monthsEquipment serviceService per the manufacturer’s warrantyrequirements or every two years

Electric heat pumpElectric baseboard, wall heaterThermostat settings68°F or the lowest comfortable setting5°F lower or the lowestcomfortable setting68°F or the lowest comfortablesetting5°F lower or the lowestcomfortable setting7°F to 10°F lower or the lowestcomfortable settingOff or the lowest settingOff or the lowest settingReducing the space that is heatedDo not close any heat registersand leave all doors slightly openSet room thermostats to off or thelowest setting, and close door(s) tounheated room(s)Equipment operationKeep room heat registers andreturn air grills clear of furnitureand rugs to promote good air flowKeep areas in front of baseboard and wallheater clear of furnishings, curtains or otherobjects that block air flowInstall a programmable heat pumpthermostat, which minimizes useof the more costly auxiliary heat.If the heat pump has a manualthermostat, the system must alsohave outdoor sensors to minimizeauxiliary heat useInstall a programmable thermostat to avoidthe cold “wake-up” or “return from work”experience and still achieve energy savingsMinor equipment maintenanceVacuum accumulated dust fromthe return air grill(s)Check the heat pump filter at thebeginning of each heating (andcooling) season. Change or cleanthe filter about every two monthsVerify thermostat accuracy using aseparate thermometer hung temporarilynear each existing thermostatKeep baseboard and wall heaters clean.Turn them off at the circuit breaker panelor fuse box and at the thermostat(s) beforevacuuming up dust. Use care not to bendbaseboard’s metal finsKeep the outside unit free ofdebris such as leaves, sticks,firewood or snow. Good clearancewill keep air circulating properlyEquipment serviceService per the manufacturer’swarranty requirements or everytwo yearsKeep an eye on the auxiliary heatindicator light. Service may beneeded if this light remains on foran extended period of timeNormally require no serviceWall heaters with internal fans should beopened and cleaned by a professionalevery three to five years per manufacturer’sinstructions

Puget Sound EnergyP.O. Box 97034Bellevue, WA 98009-9734PSE.com/ReENERGIZERE-ENERGIZEYOUR HOME WITH ENERGY-SAVING TIPS1230 04/13