• Set the air conditioner at 78 degrees during the summer. Each degree lower will increase your energy usage by 6-8%!
• Ensure the air filter to the air conditioner is kept clean.
• Use a ceiling fan or portable fan to supplement your air conditioning. A fan can make you feel 3 to 4 degrees cooler, so you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and save on cooling costs. Use in occupied rooms since fans cool people, not rooms. As a safety precaution, turn off ceiling fans when you leave your home.
• Close window blinds/shades during the day. Also, solar screens will help diffuse solar radiation and reduce heat gain in the summer.
• Wash and dry clothing early in the mornings or late in the evenings and wash clothes when there is a full load.
• Ensure doors and windows are sealed properly. Any light through the door indicates a penetration of air coming into the home.
• Utilize a microwave oven verses a regular stove and save up to 70% in energy costs. Microwaves cook food up to 75% faster and reduce the amount of heat from an electric or gas oven.
• Turn off lights, computers, and other electronic devices whenever possible. Replacing regular incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps will reduce existing lighting costs by up to 70%!
• Check the temperature of water heaters. An average temperature of a water heater should be around 120 degrees. If you leave on vacation or an extended period of time, turn the breaker off to the water heater so it does not continue to heat water when no one is available to use it.

REMEMBER: NBU also offers FREE energy audits for your residence and business to help identify areas where you might be able to reduce your electric usage. Please call (830) 629-8400 to schedule an audit.