To mark Public Power Week, the Fremont Department of Utilities offers a few tips on how to save energy and money in your home, while caring for the environment:
• Plug energy leaks with weather stripping and caulking, and be sure your house is properly insulated. You can save up to 20 percent on heating/cooling bills and make your home more comfortable.
• Clean or change filters regularly. A dirty furnace or air conditioning filter will slow airflow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool.
• Install a programmable thermostat to save up to 10 percent on cooling and heating costs.
• Wash clothes in cold water. Heating the water in a washer uses 90 percent of the energy used to wash clothes. According to Energy Star, by switching to cold water, you can save $30-$40 every year.
• Use energy-efficient light bulbs including halogen incandescents, CFLs, and LEDs to reduce energy use by as much as 80 percent.
• Turn off all lights, appliances and electronics not in use. Better still, use a power strip and turn off devices and lights that are not in use to cut standby power, to save $100 a year on your electricity bill.
For more resources, visit http://www.PublicPower.org/eerc.