Category Archive In Your Home

Spring is the time to start think about maintenance of your air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Spring is also t time to address leaks that let in hot air and upgrade your weather-striping. 

According to the USDOE air condition and refrigeration only account for 10% of your home’s energy use. However, it is the highest home energy cost. About 50% of your electric costs go to air conditioning, ventilation and refrigeration.   

See: NJBPU Clean Energy Program spring and summer energy saving tips 

https://njcleanenergy.com/misc/residential/energy-saving-tips/spring-savings

https://njcleanenergy.com/misc/residential/energy-saving-tips/summer-savings

Energy Tips:

No-cost/Low-cost EE measures 

1. Plug up leaks reducing leaks can reduce your energy cost.  With some simple tools and low cost weatherstripping you can reduce your air conditioning cost by 10%. You could have a contractor do these tasks also.
2. Change you AC filter.
3. Install and use a programable thermostat – raise your cooling settings. This can save you 3% on your annual cooling costs for each degree you set your thermostat.
4. Hire an HVAC contractor to tune up your AC system – right size your system.
5. Change your ceiling fan to go counter- clockwise that help push up the heat away – hot air rises and out.
6. Use your bathroom fan – it takes more energy to cool air that has a high moisture content.
7. Use a dehumidifier to lower the moisture content in your house.
8. Lower your heat from lighting – LEDs are cooler than other bulbs.

Higher cost EE measure

9. Hire a Home Performance with Energy Star contractor See https://njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/home-performance-energy-star/home-performance-energy-star-r 

Hire and HVAC contract to replace your heating system and hot water system before the cold weather comes in See https://njcleanenergy.com/residential/programs/warmadvantage

It takes a lot of energy to move energy around in our municipalities. According to the USEPA water treatment facilities and wastewater treatment facilities can account for 30 to 40% of a municipal’s energy use.  On a statewide basis, water treatment facilities and wastewater treatment facilities account for almost 2% of the electricity usage.

Saving water saves energy.

No cost Energy Efficiency tips

1. Use cold water when brushing your teeth and turn off the water 
2. Take shorter showers

Low cost EE tips

1. Repair leaky faucets 
2. Install a low flow shower head
3. Add an aerator to the bathroom faucets
4. Install a low flow toilet