07/21/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/21/2021 09:08
Insights > Take time to save energy in the afternoon
07/21/2021
Making a quick sandwich doesn't use much energy. However, if you're reheating yesterday's leftovers, use the microwave; it uses a lot less energy than a standard oven. When you clean up, scrape your dishes instead of rinsing them and load them into your dishwasher. Wait until you have a full load to run it to avoid wasting energy.
In summer, close window treatments - such as curtains and shades - on south- and west-facing windows to reduce heat gain during the day. In winter, open those window treatments to bring that heat in, especially on south-facing windows.
Run ceiling fans in occupied rooms. The moving air helps your skin feel cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning. Turn off the fan once you leave the room. Reversing the fan's direction in winter will help circulate warm air from the ceiling down into the room, improving the effectiveness of your heating system.
Sure, you need to keep heat gain under control, but there's still plenty of opportunity to bring in sunshine to light your home during the afternoon. Sunshine is the best-quality lighting available, it's all natural and it's free. What more could you ask for? If you need extra light on cloudy days or in your home office, use a small task lamp.
With these simple measures, you can give your energy budget a little nap this afternoon and all year long.