Energy-Saving Tips
Reduce your energy usage and lower your bill with these tips and resources from MGE.
Appliances
ENERGY STAR® products use less energy and help the environment.
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Summer
Central and room air-conditioning can be your biggest electricity users in the summer.
- Set your thermostat at 78°F or higher, if health permits.
- Turn off or set your air conditioner to 85°F when no one is home.
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat for central air and save 20 to 60 cents per hour.
Other ways to save energy in your home during summer include:
- Using shades and drapes to block the direct sun during the day.
- Cooking outside or with a microwave instead of a stove or oven.
- Using a whole-house fan, room fans or ceiling fans instead of air-conditioning.
- Replacing your light bulbs and fixtures with ENERGY STAR®-certified bulbs.
- Turning off appliances, including computers and televisions, when not in use.
- Using exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture from showering and cooking.
- Reducing humidity by using an ENERGY STAR-rated dehumidifier.
You can save energy outside of your home, too! Consider:
- Replacing your gas-powered lawn mower with a manual or electric mower.
- Putting up a clothesline for drying laundry outside.
- Planting a deciduous shade tree to the south or west of your home to keep it cooler.
- Checking gutters and downspouts to make sure they drain away from your house to reduce moisture around your home's foundation.
The furnace or boiler is the largest energy user in most homes.
- If health permits, keep the thermostat at 68°F or below.
- Lower the thermostat at night and when you're away from home (but don't go below 55°F).
- Check the furnace filter once a month during the heating season. Replace or clean it when dirty.
- Have a professional tune-up of your heating system every other year.
- Replace a lower efficiency furnace with one of at least 90% efficiency.
Save energy in other areas of your home in the winter months:
- If you have a fireplace, close the damper after the fire is out to stop drafts.
- Let the sun in during the day to help reduce heating costs.
- Close drapes and shades at night to keep warm air in and improve your home's comfort.
Spring and fall are great times to tackle maintenance and cleaning tasks. Prepping your cooling and heating system(s) helps your home be more efficient come summer and winter.
- Seal around window air-conditioning units to prevent cool air from escaping.
- Hose off the outdoor central air-condensing unit to remove dirt and leaves. Choose a qualified contractor to service your central air every two years.
- Clean appliances and vents to help them operate more efficiently.
- Wash clothes in cold water to reduce water heating costs.
- Adjust thermostat settings to save energy when you're not home.
- Check your furnace filter every month and replace or clean it when dirty.
- Vacuum dust and dirt from the coils and fan of your dehumidifier.
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