Winter Energy Saving Tips

Winter Energy Saving Tips

In case the recent rain showers haven’t made it apparent, winter in Seattle is fast approaching, which usually means higher energy bills. There are a lot of easy ways to save your hard-earned cash (maybe for the holidays?), and it won’t cost you anything:

• Open up your drapes and blinds during the day to let in the sun (when it does shine), then close them when it gets dark to keep in the warmth.
• Rearrange your furniture so you aren’t sitting near exterior walls or drafty windows.
• If you have a traditional fireplace, use it wisely – it’s a big energy loser. It pulls the heated air out of your house and up the chimney. When you’re not using it, make sure the damper is closed tight (after you ensure there are no smoldering embers).
• Turn off the lights! If you’re not using a room, make sure the lights are out. And turn off kitchen and bathroom fans when you’re done, and unplug that spare refrigerator (it can add 10-25% to your electric bill).
• Shorten your shower. Simply cutting your shower time in half can reduce your water heating costs by 33%.
• Use your appliances smartly – only run full loads in your dishwasher and clothes washer (using cold water when possible), and make sure to clean the dryer’s lint trap after each use.