CVPS: Customer Service

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Energy Savings Tips

Below is a list of tips and recommendations to assist you in reducing your electric bill. This listing represents major electricity uses that may be controlled to some degree. If not controlled in ways mentioned here, you may spend more on electricity than necessary.

AIR CONDITIONER - AVERAGE USAGE 105 KWH PER MONTH AND UP

Keep the house tightly closed during the hot portion of the day.
At night, once the outside temperature has dropped below the inside temperature, open up the windows and use fans to cool the house.
In the morning, before the outside temperatures begin to rise, close the house up again as tightly as possible.
During the winter months, install an airtight insulated cover over the air conditioner on the inside to prevent heat loss. If the air conditioner is a portable model, remove it during the winter.
A window air conditioner, to be most effective, should be installed on the north side of your home.
Shade south-facing and west-facing windows.
A portable room fan will take some of the burden off your air conditioner.
Clean or regularly change your air conditioner filter when the unit is in use.
Avoid using the oven on really hot days. Grill outside or use a microwave.

BUILDING ENVELOPE - ELECTRIC HEAT: VARIABLE KWH - DEPENDENT ON MANY FACTORS

Check for proper attic insulation. At least 12 inches is recommended for New England.
Insulate the attic hatch. If not insulated, this can be considered an opening right into the cold attic. Add 12 inches of fiberglass insulation to the hatch door.
If you have ice dams on your roof, proper insulation and ventilation are preferable to roof cables. (See Roof Cables.)
Caulk and insulate recessed light fixtures in the attic floor. (NOTE: Before covering a fixture with insulation, be sure it is "IC Rated.")
Check wall insulation. An energy efficiency rating of R-11 to R-19, equivalent to 3-1/2 to 6 inches of fiberglass, is recommended for New England.
Do you feel drafts from wall outlets and switch plates? Buy foam gaskets to close off drafts from outlets and switch plates.
Increase R-value of windows by adding a layer of heat-shrink plastic, storm windows, or the equivalent. Caulk inside and outside around window frames and weather-strip moving parts.
Add an exterior storm door to provide a buffer to the cold air. Caulk and weather-strip, as with windows.
Caulk and weather-strip the basement bulkhead door, as with windows.

DEHUMIDIFIERS - AVERAGE USAGE 162 KWH PER MONTH, UP TO 650 KWH PER MONTH

Eliminate the source of moisture and reduce or eliminate the need for the dehumidifier. A relative humidity gauge will allow you to monitor the humidity and use the dehumidifier only when levels are above 60 percent.
Determine if the source of moisture is interior or exterior by taping a square foot of plastic on a basement wall or on the basement floor. If the plastic is wet on the side facing out, moisture is coming from outside. If the plastic is wet on the side facing in, the air inside the home is the source.

KEEPING EXTERIOR MOISTURE OUTSIDE THE HOME

During the hot, humid days of the summer, keep all windows and doors closed, including basement and crawl space windows. Closing up the basement windows will stop the humidity from entering the cool basement and condensing on furniture, books, etc.
In the evening and at night, when it is cooler, open up the windows and doors to let the cool air in and the warm air out.
In the evening and at night, put a fan in a window or door facing out to push the warm air out; put another fan in a window or door at the opposite end of the home to pull the cool air in.
A dirt floor in a home produces a significant amount of moisture. Cover the dirt with heavy-duty plastic to prevent the moisture from wicking up into the home. Tape all joints and spread the plastic at least 6 inches up the walls. Protect the plastic with rug scraps; weight the plastic as needed to keep it in place.
If moisture is entering your home through a concrete basement floor or concrete walls, consider using a vapor barrier paint to reduce the humidity.
A newly constructed home may need dehumidification while the new wood dries out and freshly poured concrete cures.

REDUCING INTERIOR MOISTURE
People, animals, and plants add moisture to a home.

Vent dryers to the outdoors. DO NOT vent into basements, crawl spaces, attics, or any other interior spaces.
Keep covers on pots while cooking. This may also reduce cooking time.
When cooking, use a range hood vented outdoors to pull the steam (and odors) out of the house.
Install and use an energy-efficient bathroom fan to vent steam.
Take shorter showers.

DISHWASHERS - AVERAGE USAGE 35 KWH PER MONTH
Some dishwashers use less hot water than is required to wash dishes by hand. Check manufacturer's instructions for hot water consumption.

140 degrees Fahrenheit is the desired temperature for a dishwasher. (See Water Heating.) If your dishwasher has a water heating booster element, keep the water temperature of your water heater tank at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Check your dishwasher-operating manual.
Run the dishwasher only with full loads.
Air-dry the dishes by shutting off the dishwasher and propping open the dishwasher door.

DRYERS - AVERAGE USAGE 85 KWH PER MONTH AND UP

Air dry clothes outside whenever possible.
Vent the dryer outside to prevent moisture and condensation problems in the home. (See Dehumidifiers/Humidifiers.)
Purchase a dryer with a moisture sensor that will automatically turn the dryer off once the clothes are dry.
Dry loads of similar weights together. Jeans and lingerie should be dried separately. Towels and jeans can be dried together.
Don't underload or overload the dryer.
Don't dry clothes longer than necessary.
Clean the lint trap after every load. A buildup of lint on the screen can lengthen drying time.
Check that the hose from the dryer to the outside is not plugged or kinked and is the shortest length possible.
Dry loads one after the other to take advantage of the heat in the dryer.
Try to avoid using your dryer on hot days - it adds heat to your home.

HUMIDIFIERS - AVERAGE USAGE 41 KWH PER MONTH

Check the humidity level. Wintertime humidity levels of 30 to 40 percent should be adequate for comfort.
Tighten up the house. A tight house will increase indoor humidity levels and reduce the need for a humidifier.
A pot of water on a wood stove or on radiators can replace a humidifier.
Be careful in using humidifiers. Excessive humidity causes excessive condensation on windows, in wall cavities, and in attics (frost on nails). Mold and mildew may start to grow if humidity is too high. These effects are detrimental to the building structure and possibly to your health.

ELECTRIC HEAT - VARIABLE KWH - DEPENDENT ON MANY FACTORS
THERMOSTATS
Electric heat thermostats can be inaccurate. A thermostat in the "off" position could actually call for heat. The dial types of thermostats that are located on the heater seem to be the least accurate and most prone to failure.

Use accurate thermometers near, but not on, your thermostats to check the accuracy of the thermostats. Mark the thermostat settings that are right for you.
Consider replacing old bimetallic thermostats with new, accurate, electronic thermostats for improved comfort and savings.
Install programmable setback thermostats to automatically lower and raise the temperature at certain times of the day.
Keep thermostats clear of curtains, furniture, etc., and away from heat-producing appliances such as table lamps.

CONSERVATION

Turn the electric heat off at the circuit breaker if you do not want the heat to come on. Be careful that the circuit breaker is not controlling other electric appliances that are needed.
Lower the thermostat to about 65 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night, consistent with comfort and health. Also turn down thermostats when nobody will be home for four hours or more.
Caulk, weather-strip and properly insulate to reduce or eliminate the need for electric space heaters.
Monitor the use of electric heat in basements and crawl spaces to prevent unnecessary electric usage.
Close off unheated rooms.
Move furniture and other obstructions from in front of radiators and registers so heat will flow out into the room.

FREEZERS - AVERAGE USAGE 150 KWH PER MONTH

Read and compare the Energy Guide labels (yellow labels on the front of appliances) when purchasing a new appliance.
Keep frost-free freezers full. Storing bread or ice in the freezer is one way to keep it full. The ice will also help keep the freezer at the desired temperature.
Locate the freezer in a cooler environment (a garage or cellar). However, avoid areas that often go below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Clean the coils on the back of or underneath the freezer at least once a year. This helps the compressor run more efficiently and last longer.
Test the gasket on the freezer door by inserting a dollar bill between the gasket and the door. If the bill pulls out too easily, the gasket is worn and is not keeping the door properly sealed.
Set the temperature between 0 degrees and 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Defrost the freezer whenever there is a quarter inch or more of ice buildup. Defrosting will make the freezer run more efficiently.

HEAT TAPES - UP TO 90 KWH PER MONTH, PER HEAT TAPE, OR MORE
See also Roof Cables.

Evaluate the need for the heat tape and, if at all possible, discontinue its use.
Control use of heat tapes with an on/off switch. Turn them on when the temperature drops low enough that heat tapes are needed; shut them off when the temperature rises and they are not needed. Install a signal light at the switch to remind you when it's on.
Do not assume that the thermostat on the heat tape works properly.
Monitor heat tapes closely to ensure that they are not becoming brittle or charred. They could become a fire hazard.
Stop air leakage where the pipes are located. Simple projects such as caulking, weather-stripping, and insulating may reduce heat loss to a point where the heat tapes are no longer needed.
Consider insulating the pipe with fiberglass or foam sleeves to prevent heat loss and unnecessary use of the heat tape.

AQUARIUM - AVERAGE USAGE 37 TO 80 KWH PER MONTH

Get a smaller tank, filter, and heater.
Keep the aquarium in a warm room for warm-water fish.

AUTO ENGINE HEATER - AVERAGE USAGE 90 TO 180 KWH PER MONTH
A school bus, tractor, or car engine heater can be very expensive to operate and can account for a major increase in a winter bill.

Use an appliance timer rated to the load to turn the auto engine heater on a couple of hours before the vehicle will be needed; or plug the engine heater in just a few hours before the vehicle will be needed.

LIGHTING - AVERAGE USAGE 110 KWH PER MONTH, OR MORE

Use compact fluorescent lighting as appropriate to replace standard light bulbs in fixtures that are used two or more hours at a time. A 60-watt incandescent bulb can be replaced with a 15-watt compact fluorescent bulb that will provide the same amount of light.
Place outdoor lighting on automatic controls such as timers or motion sensors.
Reduce "ganged" lights (many lights controlled by one switch). Try "one light, one switch."
Use smaller-wattage bulbs. A 7-watt night-light (instead of a 40 watt-bulb) will appear to give off a lot of light in a dark room.
Keep lightbulbs and fixtures clean. Dust buildup will reduce the amount of light output.
Turn off all lights that are not needed, even fluorescents.

OVEN - AVERAGE USE 7.5 KWH PER MONTH FOR SELF-CLEANING

Put aluminum foil on the floor of the oven to catch spills and drips, reducing the need for self-cleaning.
To reduce cleanup time, place aluminum foil over foods that splatter.

POOLS - AVERAGE USAGE 200 KWH PER MONTH

Place the pool filter pump on a timer to reduce electric consumption. Running the pump when the water is stirred up will yield the best results. Operate as needed.
Covering a heated pool with a solar cover, especially when the air temperature drops below the water temperature, will reduce heating costs.

REFRIGERATORS - AVERAGE USAGE 150-250 KWH PER MONTH

Place the refrigerator out of the sun and away from the stove.
Unplug unused refrigerators.
Clean the coils on the back of, or underneath, the refrigerator at least once a year. This helps the compressor run more efficiently and last longer.
Test the gasket on the refrigerator by inserting a dollar bill between the gasket and the door. If the bill pulls out too easily, the gasket is worn and not keeping the door properly sealed.
Keep the temperature between 37 degrees and 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
Read and compare the Energy Guide labels (yellow labels on the front of refrigerators) when purchasing a new refrigerator.
If you are going away for an extended length of time, empty your refrigerator, turn it off, and leave the door slightly open.

ROOF CABLES - UP TO 300 KWH PER MONTH, OR MORE
Roof cables provide electric heat to melt ice dams at the edge of the roof. Ice dams occur when heated air escapes into the attic and melts the snow on the roof. The melting snow then runs to the edge of the roof, where it freezes. This continual melt/freeze-up finally builds an ice dam. This ice dam stops any further melting snow, and the melted snow starts backing up under the shingles and into the house.

Rake the snow 1 to 2 feet from the edge of the roof as soon as it stops snowing.
Plug in roof cables only when ice dams are forming or have formed.
Unplug roof cables when no longer needed.
Control the use of roof cables with an on/off switch. Install a signal light at the switch to remind you when it's on.
Install flashing at the edge of the roof instead of roof cables.
Add additional ventilation to the area under the roof and increase insulation between the unheated attic and the heated house below. The ventilation will keep a constant flow of cold air around the roof, and the insulation will prevent the heated air from warming the roof.

SPACE HEATERS (ELECTRIC) - UP TO 1,000 KWH PER MONTH PER HEATER, OR MORE
Electric space heaters are convenient but are costly to operate. Even so-called "efficient" models are often 1,200 watts or more. If your electric bill skyrockets in the winter, check for electric space heaters. Also see the sections on Building Envelope and Electric Heat.

Beware of small heaters that can consume large amounts of energy, contrary to advertisements claiming costs of "pennies per day."
Electric space heaters are sometimes left unattended in barns, garages, basements, attics, bathrooms, sheds, outbuildings, crawl spaces and other locations. Besides being a potential fire hazard, these often waste large amounts of energy.
Correct the heat loss problems with insulation, caulking, and weather-stripping to avoid using space heaters.

SUMP PUMPS - AVERAGE USAGE 40 TO 200 KWH PER MONTH

Drain the sump pump away from the home so that the water doesn't seep back into the basement to be pumped out again.
Installing gutters to take rainwater away from the house may reduce or eliminate the need for a sump pump.
Slope the soil away from the foundation to prevent water from entering the basement.

WATERBEDS - AVERAGE USAGE 120 KWH PER MONTH

Remember that the waterbed heater should not be the source of heat for the room.
Keep the top covered as much as possible (uncovered waterbeds allow heat to escape into the room). Bed covers are good insulators.
Insulate the bed with an insulated liner sold by a waterbed dealer.
Insulate the sides of the mattress with polyethylene foam.
Keep the bed's temperature set at a maximum of 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the waterbed heater on a timer.

WASHING MACHINES - AVERAGE USAGE 9 KWH PER MONTH
A washing machine uses very little energy. It is the hot water used for washing clothes that can consume significant amounts of energy. The average washer uses 25 gallons of water per cycle.

Wash most clothes in warm or cold water; rinse in cold. Use hot water only if necessary.
Check the hot/cold hose connections to make sure they are correctly attached to the washer.
Do full loads of wash or match the water level setting of the washer to the size of the load.

WATER HEATING - AVERAGE USAGE 400 KWH PER MONTH

Set the water heater on a piece of 2-inch rigid foam.
Insulate the tank with a water heater jacket. This can save 4 to 9 percent on water heating bills.
Set the temperature of the water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Reducing your electric water heater setting 10 degrees Fahrenneit will save 3 to 5 percent on your water heating costs. *The desired water temperature for a dishwasher is 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If your dishwasher has a water heating booster element, however, you can lower the water temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the dishwasher operating manual for water temperature settings.
Install energy-efficient showerheads. These can reduce water use up to 50 percent and reduce energy costs substantially.
Install faucet aerators and aerators with on/off controls to reduce hot water consumption.
When buying a new tank, look for a model that has a heat trap on the hot water outlet. Otherwise ask your plumber to install heat traps on the hot and cold piping immediately adjacent to your tank.
Don't let water run. Letting water run can waste up to 5 gallons per minute.
Check that faucets are not leaking or dripping anywhere in the home, including the basement and crawl space.
Drain a pail of water periodically from the bottom of your water heater to remove silt.
Take a short shower instead of a bath. Of course, a short shower uses less energy than a long one.
Make sure hot water is not piped into your toilets. This wasteful practice is sometimes followed to reduce "sweating" of toilets.

WELL PUMPS - AVERAGE USAGE 41 KWH PER MONTH

If the well pump continually cycles on and off, the pressure tank could be airbound or there could be a malfunction of the controls that is resulting in unnecessary electric consumption.
Check for water leaks that are resulting in continual pump operation.
If the well pump is located outside the house, it could be cycling on and off or running continuously without your knowledge.
Are there electric heaters or heat tapes to prevent frozen pipes? You may be able to insulate the pipes and remove the heaters and tapes.

MISCELLANEOUS

Use a microwave oven instead of a conventional oven. Using a microwave oven typically reduces energy used for cooking by two-thirds. Microwaves also keep your kitchen cooler in the summer.
Kilns, welders, or other large heating appliances consume a significant amount of energy very quickly and should be monitored closely.
Insulate hot tubs and saunas; and monitor the temperatures closely to prevent unnecessary consumption. Place pumps, filters, and jets on timers or manual switches.
Look in barns, garages, and outbuildings for unusual uses of electricity. Uncommon uses like livestock drinking-water heaters can greatly contribute to your electric bill.
Visitors, including children home from college, will increase the use of hot water, lighting, hair dryers, televisions, stoves, heat, etc.
Over the holidays, extra cooking, baking, and lighting, and the presence of visitors can increase an electric bill.
If you leave home on a winter vacation:
Set thermostats back, but not so low that pipes will freeze.
Turn off the water heater. Unplug TVs, VCRs, DVD players, stereos and phone charges.
Consider emptying the refrigerator and disconnecting it.
Consider shutting down the house. Hire a plumber to drain the pipes and shut the electricity off at the main circuit breaker.

CALCULATE YOUR ENERGY COSTS