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There are many residential programs and servcies throughout North Carolina to assist families and consumers with saving energy and lowering their energy bill. Start with no- and low-cost measures.

Tips to Help You Save Energy in Your Home During the Winter

  1. "68 and Save" - set your thermostat to 68 degrees F or lower.
  2. Open shades and draperies on south-facing windows during the day.
  3. Set the thermostat on your water heater at 120 degrees F.
  4. When not in use, turn off lights and electronic equipment.
  5. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
  6. When washing clothes or dishes, use full washer loads.
  7. Replace worn weather stripping on exterior doors, windows, or attic entry doors.
  8. Shower instead of taking a full tub bath.
  9. Use the microwave for cooking and preparing meals, when possible.
  10. Use the air-drying cycle instead of the heat-drying cycle to dry dishes.

Tips to Help You Save Energy in Your Home During the Summer

  1. Set the thermostat to 76 to 78 degrees or higher when your home is occupied, and 85 degrees when unoccupied. Consider installing a programmable thermostat, which can be bought at most major home inprovement stores, to perform this task for you.
  2. Do not set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on the air conditioner. It will not cool the building faster, and, if you forget to change the setting, can result in excessive cooling and unnecessary energy consumption.
  3. Use shades and blinds to keep the sun out, and secure windows tightly to prevent air conditioning loss.
  4. Station fans in areas of your home where you spend time. Consider installing ceiling fans in bedrooms and other high occupancy areas. Use ceiling fans only when a room is occupied.
  5. Perform regular maintenence on cooling equipment, such as cleaning condenser coils, checking refrigerant pressures, changing belts and filters, and fixing duct leaks.
  6. If replacing a central air conditioning unit, older appliances, or electronic equipment, consider ENERGY STAR® products, which use significantly less energy.
  7. Place your gas water heater on "vacation" mode, or turn off your electric water heater when you leave town for extended periods of time.
  8. Use full washer loads when washing clothes or dishes.
  9. Use the air-drying cycle instead of the heat-drying cycle to dry dishes.
  10. Replace worn weather stripping on exterior doors, window, and attic entry doors.

 
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