Residential
How To Manage Your Energy
Sharp Energy is a proponent of conserving energy, which also saves you, our customer, money. Try these energy conservation tips in your home or business. You may also try the free online energy calculator.
Heating
- Check the insulation in the attic, walls and floors of your home. More insulation may provide a better barrier to keep heat in and cold air out.
- Add storm windows and doors to create an insulating layer of air between panes.
- Apply weather stripping around doors and windows to keep heat inside.
- Apply caulking compound to seal leaks and cracks around windows and doorframes.
- Set your thermostat on 68 degrees or below to save energy. Lower your thermostat to 60 degrees if you will be away for a few days; set it at 55 degrees if you plan to be away longer. You can also set your thermostat back at night while you're sleeping.
- Check your furnace filter monthly; clean or change if dirty.
- Open draperies or blinds on sunny days to help heat your home, but close them on cloudy days to insulate against the cold.
- Close the fireplace damper when not in use. An open draft will draw heat to the outside. Consider an energy efficient gas fireplace.
- Close all doors from living areas to unheated areas.
- Have your thermostat installed away from where heat or cold can affect operation.
- Have your heating system checked once a year by a qualified service technician in order to maintain it properly.
Water Heating
- Keep hot showers as short as possible. For the most part, a shower uses less hot water than a bath.
- Set your water heater on 140 degrees if you have a dishwasher, or 120 degrees if you do not. Use your "vacation" setting when away for long periods of time.
- Have a high-efficiency gas water heater installed for comfort and savings.
- Have a low-flow showerhead installed to decrease your hot water usage.
- Have leaky faucets repaired to prevent wasting water.
- Insulate hot water pipes and water heater.
Basement/Utility Room
- Have your heating and venting system inspected every year by a qualified heating contractor.
- Sharp Energy offers preventative maintenance service plans for your furnace, water heater and air conditioner through approved, independent contractors.
- Check your furnace air filter regularly and clean or replace it when necessary.
- Set your water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, usually the "warm"or "low" setting, to prevent hot water scalds.
- Never step, sit, lean or place a heavy object on appliance connectors.
- If the appliance connector on your gas dryer is made of uncoated brass, it should be replaced immediately with either a new stainless steel or a new epoxy-coated connector. We encourage you to call a qualified plumbing or heating contractor or call your local Sharp Energy office.
- For a fee, service technicians can inspect and replace the connector for you.
- Always have a new connector installed when you replace or move a gas appliance.
- If your propane meter is indoors, be sure you know where the shut-off valve is located.
- Teach children to keep toys and papers away from propane appliances and not to play near appliances.
- Keep paint, bleach, gasoline and other combustibles away from propane appliances.
Kitchen
- If you smell a faint propane odor near an appliance, the pilot light may need relighting. If the odor is strong and persistent or you hear propane leaking, leave the house immediately and call for service.
- Use a medium or low flame when cooking. Use a high flame sparingly.
- Match the size of your flame to the size of your pan to prevent wasting gas.
- Have your burner adjusted if the flame is yellow/orange instead of blue.
- Avoid opening your oven door while baking. Use a timer or thermostat to check food.
- Keep burner surfaces clean for more efficient operation.
- Keep burners turned off when not in use.
- Avoid blocking circulation of oven heat. Do not place foil in the bottom of your oven or on oven racks.
- Do not use your oven to heat your home.
Laundry
- Wash and dry full loads instead of partial loads.
- Use cold and warm wash settings as much as possible.
- Clean your dryer lint catcher after each use.
- Consider an energy efficient gas dryer.
|
