Blown insulation is a good choice for reaching odd-shaped nooks and crannies. A ruler or yardstick inserted into the insulation should measure it at 10 to 14 inches deep to meet South Carolina’s recommended R-38 value.
Start with these easy-to-implement energy-saving ideas and then download all 101 to help save money on your monthly power bill.
Water Heating Tips
- Set water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees. For households with 1 or 2 members, a 115-degree setting may work fine.
- Install water-heater wrap per manufacturer’s instructions.
- Drain 1 - 2 gallons from bottom of water heater each year to reduce sediment build up.
- Install heat traps on hot and cold water lines when it’s time to replace your water heater.
- Insulate exposed hot water lines.
- Limit shower length to 5 - 7 minutes.
- Install low-flow shower heads.
- Fix dripping faucets.
- Don’t let water run while you are shaving or brushing your teeth.
Kitchen Tips
- Use your refrigerator's anti-sweat feature only if necessary.
- Switch your refrigerator's power-saver to "ON", if available.
- Clean refrigerator coils annually.Set the refrigerator temperature to 34 - 37 degrees and the freezer temperature to 0 - 5 degrees.
- Ensure gaskets around door seal tightly.
- Unplug unused refrigerators or freezers.
- Use microwave for cooking when possible.
- When cooking on the range, use pot lids to help food cook faster.
- If you are heating water, use hot tap water instead of cold.
- Remember to use the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking and turn it off after cooking.
- Let hot food cool before storing it in the refrigerator.
- Rinse dirty dishes with cold water before putting them into the dishwasher.
- Use cold water for garbage disposal.
- Only run dishwasher when fully loaded.
- Use air-dry cycle instead of heat-dry cycle to dry dishes.
Laundry Tips
- Wash clothes in cold water. Use hot water only for very dirty loads.
- Do only full laundry loads. If you must do smaller loads, adjust the water level in the washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water.
- Always use cold-water rinse.
- Use bath towels at least twice before washing them.
- Clean your dryer’s lint trap before each load.
- Make sure that the outdoor dryer exhaust door closes when dryer is off.
- Verify dryer vent hose is tightly connected to inside wall fitting and to the dryer. Make sure the hose is not kinked or clogged.
- Minimize clothes drying time; use moisture sensor on dryer if available.
- Dry consecutive loads to harvest heat remaining in dryer from last load.
- Consider using a "solar-powered" clothes dryer - an old fashioned clothes line.
For more energy saving advice, download the brochure "101 Easy Ways to Save Money and Energy."