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What's the Easiest Way to Shift Energy Use?

Thermostat

Use a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat can also save you 10-30% on year-round energy costs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Time of Day Participants: Program Your Thermostat for Summer Savings!

Set your thermostat to raise your home’s temperature on weekdays from 2 - 7 PM from June - October to take advantage of lower off-peak rates.

More Smart Thermostat Tips for Off-Peak Hours, Weekends and Holidays.
  • Raise the temperature 30 minutes before you leave home each day.
  • Lower the temperature 30 minutes before you come home.
  • Raise the temperature 30 minutes after you go to bed each night.
  • Download the thermostat app so you can make adjustments when you’re away or on vacation.
Use Fans for Low-Cost Cooling
  • Fans allow you to raise your thermostat up to four degrees without any reduction in comfort.*
  • Make sure ceiling fans rotate counterclockwise in summer.
  • Fans cool people, not rooms. Remember to turn fans off when you leave.
Get Your Central Air Conditioner Ready for Summer
  • Keep your vents clear. If they’re blocked by rugs or furniture, your air conditioner can’t work efficiently.
  • Make sure all your vents are open, free of dust and directing air toward the center of the room.
  • Change your filter once a month. A dirty filter makes your system work harder.
  • Adjust return registers for summer by closing floor registers and opening ceiling registers. You’ll force hot air out and keep cold air in.
  • Close the vents in unoccupied rooms to produce greater airflow in other rooms.
  • Tune up your system yearly to improve efficiency and comfort.
Use Window Treatments
  • Close blinds, shades and drapes on the sunny side of your house to block out the sun.
Time Your Household Activities to Keep Cool
  • Avoid using heat-producing appliances like the oven, stove, dishwasher and clothes dryer during afternoon and early evening when your air conditioner is working hard.
  • Avoid taking long, hot showers during the afternoon and early evening hours.
*According to the Department of Energy.
Kitchen Appliances
Cooking Tips
  • Consider cooking dinner on the grill instead of using your oven.
  • Cook food and boil water in a covered pot.
  • Turn burners/oven off a few minutes early, allowing the retained heat to finish cooking your food.
  • Use the oven light to check on food. Opening the oven door drops the temperature 25°F, requiring additional energy to bring the temperature back up.
Dishwasher
  • Avoid running the dishwasher from 2 - 7 PM.
  • Wash full loads and use short cycles.
  • Instead of using the drying cycle, air-dry your dishes.
Refrigerator/Freezer
  • Consider replacing an old refrigerator, which can use nearly twice as much energy as a new ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerator.
  • Set the refrigerator temperature between 36°F and 42°F and the freezer temperature to 0°F.
  • Dust off the coils and filters.
  • Check the rubber seals on the door.
  • Limit opening the refrigerator.
Laundry
  • Wash laundry on the cold cycle.
  • Set the dryer to automatic shut-off when clothes are dry.
  • Hang clothes outside to dry.
Swimming Pool
  • Use a timer to turn off your pool pump before 2 PM.
  • Install solar heaters or a solar blanket to warm the water.
Electronics
  • Electronic devices use standby power even when they’re off. Use an advanced power strip to shut off electronics completely when not in use.
Water Heater
  • Set your water heater to 120°F. Consider purchasing an energy-efficient model.
  • Install water-saving devices such as low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
  • Shorten your showers by two minutes.
  • Inspect your home for air leaks and poor insulation. Consider scheduling a professional energy audit in which technicians use infrared heat mapping to pinpoint your home’s thermal weak spots.
  • Install energy-efficient LED lighting.
  • Make the switch to ENERGY STAR® certified products to save energy, save money and protect the climate.

Look how much you could save

Savings Chart
Savings Chart Savings Chart Savings Chart

Equipment estimates from energystar.gov.
*Based on a 2-1/2 ton air conditioner.
Above estimates are based on average households. Savings vary by customer.