Consvervation Tips - A smart Savings Guide

Optimizing energy efficiency
requires a whole-house approach

Energy and water usage are driven by many factors. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “optimizing home energy efficiency requires a whole-house systems approach to ensure that you and your team of building professionals consider all the variables, details, and interactions that affect energy use in your home.”

Thermostat set points, water consumption, lighting use, construction quality, unit size, design, and location are some of the biggest factors influencing energy consumption. The quality of insulation, windows, doors, and toilets, along with the age and efficiency of major appliances, plays a major role in your home’s overall efficiency, affecting the total electric and water consumption each month.

Our goal here is to share facts about energy consumption so you can make the best choices for your situation. As a multifamily resident, you don’t control every decision that influences electric and water consumption in your residence but there are simple behavior changes and inexpensive upgrades that may help you cut down on your usage. Check out the tips below to start saving today.

Heating and cooling TYPICALLY ACCOUNTS FOR about HALF of your electric utility bill

1. You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7-10° from its normal setting when away from home.

2. Set your programmable thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer, as well as when you’re sleeping or away from home. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall bill will be.

3. Utilizing the Emergency Heat or E-Heat setting on your thermostat is less energy efficient. Avoid utilizing this setting unless necessary.

4. In the summer, avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It won’t cool your home any faster but could result in excessive cooling and therefore, unnecessary expense.

Appliances MAKE UP about 13% of household energy costs - REFRIGERATION, COOKING, AND LAUNDRY TOP THE LIST

KITCHEN APPLIANCES

1. Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean. They will reflect the heat better, and you will save energy.

2. Use a covered kettle or pan, or an electric kettle to boil water; these methods are faster and use less electricity.

3. Ensure the size of the pan is matched to the heating element.

4. Don’t set your refrigerator or freezer too cold. The FDA recommends setting your refrigerator at or below 40° F and your freezer at 0° F.

5. Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.

DISHWASHER

1. Most of the energy used by a dishwasher is for water heating. Check the manual that came with your dishwasher for the manufacturer’s recommendations on water temperature; many have internal heating elements that allow you to set the water heater in your home to a lower temperature (120°F).

2. Scrape, don’t rinse, off large food pieces and bones. Soaking or prewashing is generally only recommended in cases of burned or dried on food.

3. Be sure your dishwasher is full but not overloaded before running it.

4. Avoid using the “rinse hold” on your machine for just a few soiled dishes. It uses 3-7 gallons of hot water each use.

5. Let your dishes air dry. If you don’t have an automatic air dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open slightly so the dishes will dry faster.

LAUNDRY

1. Wash your clothes in cold water using a cold water detergent whenever possible. Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load’s energy use in half.

2. Wash and dry full loads of laundry. If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water level setting.

3. Dry towels and heavier cottons in separate loads from lighter weight clothes.

4. Clean the lint screen in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation and prevent fire hazards.

THE average household dedicates about 5% of its ToTAL energy budget to lighting

1. Energy-efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills. Replacing 15 incandescent light bulbs with their energy-saving alternative could save about $50 per year. The most popular choices available are halogen incandescent, company fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Although the upfront cost may be more than traditional incandescent bulbs, these options use less electricity and can save money over time.

2. Replace old incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR® qualified bulbs for the best quality in savings. Visit EnergyStar.gov to find the right light bulbs for your fixtures.

3. Timers and motion sensors save money by reducing the amount of time lights are on when not being used. Study your family’s needs and look for opportunities to use controls like sensors, dimmers, or timers to reduce lighting use.

DON’T LET RISING WINTER ENERGY COSTS
CATCH YOU OFF-GUARD

Winter brings colder weather, which means higher electric and water bills. Energy usage typically peaks during the coldest and hottest times of the year when the systems we rely on to keep us comfortable must work harder. As electric rates surge across the U.S., utility bills are following suit.

Your NEP bill is a direct product of your energy usage and the rates set by the local utility. Unfortunately, neither you nor NEP can control the rate you are charged for your electricity usage. Although some aspects of your unit’s usage may be beyond your direct control, there are steps you may be able to incorporate to lower your total usage.

1. Set your thermostat lower. Even a few degrees can make a difference.

2. Set your water heater to 120 degrees to have comfortable water and use less energy.

3. Do not set your thermostat higher than normal to heat your home faster. It won’t actually heat faster, but it may use more energy.

4. Be energy efficient. Use energy-efficient light bulbs, turn off ceiling fans and lights when you leave the house, and use less hot water.

If you have any questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly Resident Support Specialists at 877-818-2637, Monday through Friday, 8am - 6pm, or via email at residentsupport@nationwideenergypartners.com

Thanks to our friends at Community Housing Partners for sharing this important video.

Water heating is the second largest energy expense in your home

Heating the water in your home typically accounts for about 18% of your electric bill. Faucets and shower heads can use a lot of water, as well, which adds to your total utility expense. There are some easy ways to reduce your use and cut costs.

1. Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to get comfortable hot water for most uses and save the energy necessary to maintain a higher temperature.

2. Repair running toilets and leaky faucets promptly. Both can waste large amounts of water in a short period of time and be very costly.

3. Faucets are equipped with a screw-on tip called an aerator. Aerators are inexpensive and can be one of the most cost-effective water-saving measures. To get the most benefit, purchase one with a flow rate of no more than 1.0 G.P.M.*

4. If the faucet has a single lever, set it to the “cold” position when using small amounts of water. The “hot” position draws hot water even though it may never reach the faucet.

5. If your shower head is older, it could have a high flow rate, wasting water. Installing a new, low-flow shower head is quick and easy, and could cut water use by as much as 60%.
   
   * Please note: If you rent or lease your residence, please check with your property manager before implementing these tips.