Effective conservation measures involve using household appliances more efficiently and servicing them properly to improve their performance and extend their life.

Pools

For energy conservation and cost saving, Progress Energy recommends reducing the pool pump operating hours to the minimum necessary for pool cleanliness. You will save money and extend the life of your pump.

• Make sure your timer is working and set appropriately for the season
  
  
• Replace the pool heater with a heat pump pool heater
  
  
• Replace the pool heater with a solar pool heating system

General Appliance Tips

• Pool pumps can add significantly to your monthly electric bill. Make sure your timer is working and reduce operating hours as much as possible.
  
  
• Waterbeds can increase your electric bill. Be sure they are properly covered and the heater is set as low as possible or turned off altogether. If your children have waterbeds, check the thermostats and make sure the beds are properly covered each day if the heat is on.   
  
  
• A hot shower produces a lot of humidity. Use the exhaust fan to pull out the steam, but remember to turn it off when the air clears.
  

Cooking

Consider these tips to reduce energy consumption of your oven and range:

• Microwave ovens draw less than one-half the power of a conventional oven and foods cook in about one-fourth the time, greatly reducing cooking costs.

• Turn off the oven about 15-20 minutes before the end of cooking time.  The leftover heat in the oven will finish the job, if you don’t open the oven door.
  

• Turn your stove and range down to a simmer as soon as food or water begins to boil.  This setting maintains cooking temperature, cooks food more evenly and saves energy.

• Resist the temptation to open the oven door to check on food while it’s cooking.  Each time you open it, 25 percent of the oven’s heat is wasted.
  

• Use tight-fitting covers on pots and pans to increase efficiency and shorten cooking time.   
  

• Put your pots on the right size burner. Energy is lost up the sides of a small pot on a large burner and adds unnecessary heat to the kitchen.
  

• Use a timer to monitor cooking times and eliminate kitchen mistakes.
  

• Keep reflector pans clean so they will reflect more heat upward.
  

• Copper-bottomed pots and pans will use heat more efficiently.
  

• Using the oven in the heat of summer will increase air conditioning loads and make the house less comfortable. 

Refrigeration Tips

• The coils of your refrigerator should be clean, not clogged with dirt. Check and clean.    

• A leaky gasket on your refrigerator door can greatly increase energy use and cost. If you can feel cold air around the closed door or there is a great deal of moisture collecting at certain spots around the door, your refrigerator is costing more than it should to operate.    

• If your refrigerator temperature is set too low, your operating costs will increase. Refrigerator temperature should be 35 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezers should be zero.    

• The more often you open the refrigerator door (or keep it open), the higher the operating costs will be. Open it as little as possible for energy savings.  

• Putting a second refrigerator in a hot garage or utility room can double operating costs. If you need the extra storage, keep it as full as possible. If you don't need the space, you might want to "pull the plug."
  

Refrigerator/Freezer

Refrigerators and freezers operate constantly and are often the third largest end-use of electricity in homes.  To increase your refrigerator's efficiency, consider these tips:

• When buying a new refrigerator, buy the most efficient model available for the size you need. The yellow "Energy Guide Label" compares the energy efficiency of each unit. Newer models that feature improved insulation and power saver switches can save considerably. Side-by-side refrigerators and those with through-the-wall ice and water dispensers are generally less efficient.
  
  
• The thermostat setting of a refrigerator has a large effect on its energy consumption. Be certain to check manufacturer's recommendations. Generally, a good rule of thumb is to use a thermometer to set the refrigerator to 40 F and the freezer to 5 F. (Please note: It takes 12 hours for the temperature to stabilize after resetting.) 
  
  
• The motor, coil and vents should be kept free of dust. Use a vacuum or brush to clean coils.
  
  
• Check and lubricate gaskets periodically. Consult your dealer or manufacturer for maintenance specifications.
  
  
• Reduce the frequency and time that the refrigerator is open.
  
  
• Generally, the fuller a refrigerator/freezer is, the more efficient its operation will be. If a freezer is empty, turn it off or fill it with plastic jugs with the lids on to take up space.
  
   
• The air spaces behind and under the refrigerator must have sufficient room to allow hot air to escape from the compressor and coils. Allow room for proper circulation.
  

Drying

• A warm dryer uses less energy. Try to wash and dry several loads in succession. 
  
  
• Try to avoid over-drying, which wastes energy and causes static and wrinkling.
  
  
• Separate loads into light and heavy fabrics for the shortest drying times.
  
  
• If your dryer is located inside your home, make sure your dryer is vented to the outside to reduce the work load on your air conditioner.
  

Washing

• Wash full loads when possible. When smaller loads are necessary, remember to adjust the water level accordingly.
  
  
• Use cold water (70 F to 80 F) for most clothes and for rinsing. 
  
  
• Use the short wash cycle for lightly soiled garments.
  
  
• Consider the purchase of a highly-efficient water heating system such as a heat-pump water heater or a heat recovery water heating system.
   

Buy Energy Efficient Appliances

It just makes sense to buy energy-efficient appliances, since 20 percent of all the energy used in your home goes into running them. Consider these suggestions before heading to the store.

• Consider energy requirements before you purchase an appliance, especially heating and cooling equipment. Home energy efficiency is highly influenced by the appliances you select.       

• Look for the energy guide labels on most major home appliances. They compare the yearly energy costs of appliances. The more efficient models save you money over the long run.       

• Check the SEER rating for appliances and central air conditioning units. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and the higher it is for a piece of equipment, the better.             

• Determine the size of the appliance needed for family size and lifestyle.       

• Check safety and certification seals.       

• Consider the quality of the appliance's construction. Investigate the cost to operate the appliance, as well as purchase price. And comparison shop.       

• Read the manufacturer's "use and care" manual and warranty carefully.
  

Home Improvements

You can use energy more wisely and also reduce your energy costs by making home improvements that can pay back your efforts. Many of these energy saving investments can be accomplished with do-it-yourself projects around your house. Others will require labor, materials and services that are offered by your Progress Energy Representative. Your efforts will help save energy, provide comfort and promote a safer environment.

Please keep in mind that all conservation measures will save energy, but the amount you save will depend on whether the measures you provide relate to an end-use that ranks high within your personal energy usage profile.

• Energy Saving Investments
  • Add insulation to attic to achieve a level of R-30
  • Insulate floor over unconditioned space   
  • Insulate exterior walls and partitions   
  • Cover screens with plastic, add inserts or storm windows   
  • Replace noninsulated door(s) with insulated    
  • Add insulation to the attic access panel(s) or basement doors    
  • Caulk and seal around windows    
  • Caulk and seal around doors    
  • Weather-strip windows    
  • Caulk under sink around openings    
  • Weather-strip around doors    
  • Install thresholds to doors    
  • Install door sweeps to doors    
  • Install electrical outlet gaskets    
  • Replace pool heater with a heat pump pool heater
    
    

• Do-It-Yourself Projects:
  • Install scrap insulation or other pliable materials in gaps around pipes, ducts, fans, or other items which enter the attic or basement from a conditioned space    
  • Repair broken windows and doors 
  • Fix or replace refrigerator door seal/gasket    
  • Clean refrigerator condenser coils    
  • Participate in a Home Energy Check    
  • Consider high-efficiency appliances when it's time to replace your existing ones