Have yourself an energy-efficient Christmas! Here are a few guidelines from your friends here at KPUB to follow that will ensure you stay off Santa’s naughty list for wasting money and energy.
Day 1: Unplug, unplug, unplug!
Day 2: Cook up energy savings!
Cooking is as much a part of the holidays as presents & caroling. No peeking applies to both your gifts AND your oven! Save energy by keeping that oven door shut & doing all your Christmas baking in one day!
Day 3: Ask Santa for Energy Star appliance upgrades!
Stay on Santa’s nice list by choosing Energy Star appliance upgrades. You’ll save energy (& money each year on electric bills!). A household can save about $450 each year on their energy bills!
Day 4: When there’s not a fire burning, close your fireplace damper.
Closing your fireplace damper when there’s not a fire burning prevents heat from escaping and cold air from entering your home.
Day 5: Use your blinds & curtains to prevent & reduce heat loss.
Install curtains as close to the window as possible and cover the top up with cornices for heat loss prevention.
Day 6: Clean or replace your filters regularly.
Dirty filters make your system work harder than necessary. Keeping your AC filters clean is a trick to save energy from your friend Saint Nick!
Replacing filters regularly could reduce your energy consumption by 5-15%.
Day 7: Lower the temperature of your water heater
Space heating/cooling & water heating are some of the largest energy expenses for any home. Water heating can account for close to 20% of your home energy use.
Lower your water heater (ideally to 120°—and wash your laundry in the cold setting!). Small changes can mean more money for your Christmas shopping fund throughout the year.
Day 8: Control your temp with a smart thermostat
While you’re making your list and checking it twice, make sure to include a smart thermostat. It’s the gift that keeps giving with annual energy savings.
Day 9: Eliminate Air Leaks & Drafts
Day 10: Ceiling fan switch—flip it and reverse it
Ceiling fans are a great way to stay cool in the summer, but they can also help keep you warm in the winter! Flip your fan’s reverse switch so the blades will rotate clockwise, producing an updraft and moving the warm air that collects near your ceiling down into the rest of the room.
Day 11: Use LED holiday lights & put them on a timer
Set the timer to turn the lights on when it gets dark and off at bedtime. Aim to keep Christmas lights on for less than six hours a day in total.
Day 12: Have your HVAC serviced annually
Your HVAC system should be in good working condition all year round, especially during the months when you need it the most, like the wintertime.
Preventive maintenance and annual inspections help to ensure that your HVAC system runs at close to peak efficiency. This can mean savings of up to 30% on your energy bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.