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Easy Ways to Save

Saving energy doesn’t have to take a lot of your energy.  By making a few, simple adjustments in your home you can save money and help conserve our natural resources:

  • Take our Home Energy Efficiency Survey to find ways to save.
  • Install adequate insulation.
  • Keep your appliances in good working order to help them perform safely and efficiently.
  • Install low-flow devices on showers and faucets to save water and the energy used to heat it.
  • Always run your dishwasher with a full load and use the air-dry option.

Tips for your:

Refrigerator and Freezer
  • Set your refrigerator between 36°F and 40°F.
  • Set your freezer between 0°F and 5°F.
  • Replace cracked or loose door seals.
  • Clean condenser coils regularly.
  • Organize shelves for easy access to the foods you use the most.
  • Keep refrigerators away from heat sources such as ovens and dishwashers, windows and direct sunlight.
  • Leave a space between the wall or cabinets and the refrigerator or freezer to allow air to circulate around the condenser coils.
Heating and Cooling
  • Use fans instead of central A/C to save up to 90% on cooling costs.
  • Set your central A/C thermostat to 78°F or higher.
  • Set your furnace thermostat to 68°F or lower.
  • Weather-strip and caulk your doors and windows.
  • Keep vents clear of obstructions.
  • Change or clean your HVAC filter regularly.
Electronic Appliances
  • Invest in a smart power strip to reduce phantom energy use.
  • Turn off power surge strips at night or while you’re at work.
  • Activate energy saving modes on computers, monitors, printers.
  • Buy energy-efficient electronics when it’s time to replace your old ones.
  • Unplug cell phone, laptop and battery chargers once the item is fully charged.
Lighting
  • Replace incandescent and halogen lights with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs).
  • Replace light switches with motion or occupancy sensors.
  • Let timers “remember” to turn lights on and off automatically.
  • Turn off lights when you leave a room.
  • Attend an SDG&E® lighting turn-in event and swap out less efficient lights for new, energy-saving models.

Learn more.

Washer and Dryer
  • Wash and dry full loads.
  • Use cold water to wash and always rinse in cold since 70 percent of the cost of washing a load of laundry is heating the water.
  • Air-dry your clothes on clothes lines or drying racks.
  • Repair cracked hoses and leaky faucet connections.
  • Clean your dryer’s lint screen after each use.

Learn more.

Stove and Microwave
  • Put a lid on your pan to help food cook more quickly.
  • Use your microwave to save time and up to 75 percent in energy costs compared to your electric stove.
  • Don’t preheat your oven – it’s usually not necessary unless you’re baking.
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