• On hot days, keep the fan running on its highest setting for maximum cooling effectiveness.
• Ensure doors and windows are kept open in rooms being cooled.
• Reduce heat gain by opening windows and doors on the opposite side of the house to the hot prevailing winds where possible.
• On days of high humidity, turn off the water supply to the cooler and run the fan only.
  
• For central systems, purchase a roof cover to enclose the external unit over winter. Covers should also be placed over
  ceiling vents to stop warm air being lost through them.
• Maintain and service your cooler in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. In particular, ensure air
  filters are cleaned regularly.
• Water consumption for evaporative coolers depends on the natural humidity of the day. A portable unit might use 4 liters per hour while a central system could use as much as 25 liters per hour.
  
• Ensure ducting is free of air leaks— escaping cool air will only serve your roof space instead of the inside of your home.
• If your unit has a timer, consider using it to switch the system off when cooling is not required, e.g. in the early hours of
  the morning.
  

• Thermostats should be set between 25–27°C. Every 1°C lower can increase running costs by up to 15%.
• Turn your system on only when it is needed. Don’t leave it running overnight or when you are out during the day— this wastes energy and your money.
• Install a timer (for portable, window/wall or split systems) or use a programmable thermostat (available for many split and
  central systems) to turn your unit on and off automatically. Plug-in timers can be purchased cheaply from hardware and
  electronic stores.
• Use the economy setting if your system has one. This setting reduces energy use by maintaining moderate rather than cold
  temperatures in appropriate conditions.
  
• Keep the area you are cooling to a minimum by closing doors to other rooms not requiring cooling.
• Always keep doors and windows closed when using reverse-cycle air conditioners. Close drapes and blinds to help keep out the sun.
• If your air conditioner is exposed to full sun during the day, provide it with shade from an awning, shade mesh, or a similar
  structure. Be careful not to restrict air movement around the unit.
  
• Maintain and service your air conditioner in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions to keep it operating
  effectively. In particular, ensure filters are cleaned regularly.
• Use portable or ceiling fans wherever possible—they are much cheaper to run than air conditioners.
• Use the zoning options of a central system if they are available.
• Ensure any ducting is free of air leaks— escaping cool air will only serve your roof space instead of the inside of your home.

Save Energy and Money Today

Did you know that the typical U.S. family spends more than $1,600 a year on home utility bills? Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. And electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars. And as for the road, transportation accounts for 66% of all U.S. oil consumption. The good news is, there is a lot you can do to save energy and money at home and in your car. Start making small changes today (see the tips below). To cut your energy use up to 25%, see the Long-Term Savings Tips throughout this Web site.

The key to achieving these savings in your home is a whole-house energy efficiency plan. To take a whole-house approach, view your home as an energy system with interdependent parts. For example, your heating system is not just a furnace—it's a heat-delivery system that starts at the furnace and delivers heat throughout your home using a network of ducts. Even a top-of-the-line, energy-efficient furnace will burn a lot of fuel if the ducts, walls, attic, windows, and doors are not insulated and leak. Taking a whole-house approach to saving energy ensures that dollars you invest to save energy are spent wisely.

Energy-efficient improvements not only make your home more comfortable, they can yield long-term financial rewards. Reduced utility bills more than make up for the higher price of energy-efficient appliances and improvements over their lifetimes. In addition, your home could bring in a higher price when you sell. This booklet shows you how easy it is to reduce your energy use at home and on the road. The easy, practical solutions for saving energy include tips you can use today, throughout your home—from the roof, walls, and insulation that enclose it to the appliances and lights inside. Please, take a few moments to read the valuable tips in this booklet to start saving energy and money today.

Tips to Save Energy Today

Easy low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy.

• Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system.
  
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
  
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
  
• Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
• Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).
  
• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° F.
  
• Take short showers instead of baths.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
  
• Drive sensibly. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gasoline.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on home appliances and products. ENERGY STAR® products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
  

• Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces.
  Visit www.energysavers.gov for instructions on checking your insulation levels.
  
• Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.
  
• Check for open fireplace dampers.
  
• Make sure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained. Check your owner’s manuals for the recommended maintenance..
• Study your family’s lighting needs and use patterns, paying special attention to high-use areas such as the living room, kitchen, and outside lighting. Look for ways to use lighting controls—like occupancy sensors, dimmers, or timers—to reduce lighting energy use, and replace standard (also called incandescent) light bulbs and fixtures with compact or standard fluorescent lamps.

• How much money do you spend on energy?
  
• Where are your greatest energy losses?
  
• How long will it take for an investment in energy efficiency to pay for itself in energy cost savings?
  
• Do the energy-saving measurers provide additional benefits that are important to you (for example, increased comfort from installing double-paned, efficient windows)?
• How long do you plan to own your current home?
• Can you do the job yourself or will you need to hire a contractor?
  
• What is your budget and how much time do you have to spend on maintenance and repair?