After you have done as many of the energy-reducing tasks for heating and cooling as you can, you should move on to large appliances and lighting. As you saw in the Variable Load and Baseload graphic, large appliances and lighting make up 40 to 50% of your monthly bill. This group is comprised of many appliances used for varied periods of time throughout the month, unlike heating and cooling which is primarily your HVAC system.
You will see a less dramatic reduction in monthly energy bills with these tasks, but the annual effect on Baseload energy use could be up to a 15 to 20% savings. Most of the tasks are free or low cost. Your largest expense will be replacing old and inefficient appliances. Start with the water heater if you can, and then proceed with the next oldest appliance. Making these updates along with your heating and cooling tasks will add up.
Short-Term Investments
The quickest and easiest way to get started saving on your energy bill is to implement these free and moderately-priced tasks. You can do a lot yourself. Do research on the internet for price comparisons and how-to tips. Watch YouTube videos for visualization of tasks. It is always easier to see someone do something than it is to read about it. When you are shopping, be sure to ask store associates any questions and explain what you are trying to accomplish. They may be able to point you toward a better solution.
Free: Limit dishwasher use.
Only run your dishwasher with full loads. If you only have a few dirty dishes, consider cleaning by hand and save the hot water.
Free: Limit the time for hot showers.
The more demand on electric water heaters, the more energy used– especially in households with multiple members. Long showers might be relaxing, but keeping your shower under 5 minutes gets you clean and saves energy.
Free: Set a proper temperature for your water heating system.
For a household of 1 or 2 people, set the temperature to 115˚ F. For households of 3 or more persons, set the temperature to 120˚ F.
Free: Limit the use of your stove and oven in the summer.
If it’s hot outside, don’t make your house hotter by cooking and baking. Use a microwave, a toaster oven, or a slow cooker for summer meals.
Free: Wash clothes in cold water and full loads. Most clothes used in everyday situations can be cleaned in cold water. Modern detergents also help clean better, and in cold water. Only use warm or hot water for very dirty loads.
Free: Dry your clothes old school.
If you have the time, hang your clothes outside on a clothesline to dry.
Free: Remove that refrigerator or freezer in the garage. If you have a refrigerator or freezer in your garage, move it inside to a cooler area where it does not have to work so hard. If you don’t use it on a regular basis, unplug and/or sell it.
Free: Set a proper refrigerator and or freezer(s) temperature. Set your refrigerator between 34˚ to 37˚ F and freezers to 0˚ to 5˚ F.
$: Change your old light bulbs to LEDs.
Lighting can account for a significant amount of energy. Swap out all your interior and exterior lights with long-lasting, low-energy use LEDs.
$ Insulate your hot water heater. Wrapping your water heater can help increase temperature retention, especially if located in a garage or an area exposed to cold winter temperatures.
$: Perform annual maintenance on hot water heaters.
Flush and check coils for rusting and structural integrity. Fixing small issues costs less, maintains efficiency, and increases longevity in your investment. You may want a professional to do the inspection.
Long-Term Investments
Remember, there are 2 costs associated with appliances — the cost at the store and the cost to operate them. Plus, not all appliances are used equally. Start by replacing the appliances that are in use the most throughout the day or week. Refrigerators, freezers, and water heaters operate continually so their replacement will have the biggest impact on annual energy use. Ovens, dishwashers, and laundry appliances do not have to be used daily, so their replacements can be considered as secondary to the more frequently used ones.
$$: Replace your old refrigerator and freezer(s).
If your refrigerator and/or freezer(s) are more than 15 years old, you should upgrade to a more efficient Energy Star® unit. If your old units were to break, the cost to fix is sometimes more than a new unit.
$$: Replace your old dishwasher.
If your dishwasher is older than 8 to 12 years old, consider upgrading to a more energy efficient unit. They use less hot water and clean more efficiently in shorter periods of time.
$$: Replace your old washer and/or dryer.
If your washer and dryer are more than 8 to 12 years old, you should upgrade. Look for Energy Star® rated units. Try to purchase units that have water sensors that detect how much water is needed to wash the clothes. If possible, opt for a front loading washer as they are more efficient and use less water.
$$$ Replace your old water heating system. Upgrade your old electric water heater with a new Energy Star® rated unit.
If you want to make big reductions in your energy bill, start with heating and cooling. While there are free and affordable things you can do yourself to start lowering your electric bill, ultimately you need to replace your old, inefficient HVAC system. Big changes mean a big investment. That usually means upgrading your HVAC system and insulating your home—potentially cutting your Variable Load (heating and cooling) in half.