No-Cost Energy Saving Tips.

Did you know as an Avista customer you may be eligible for a rebate when you install energy efficient equipment in your home? You'll find more information about energy efficiency incentives here.

Below are some simple suggestions to help you start conserving energy right away and keep conserving throughout the year.

These tips are easy, but the best thing about them is they're free. You can view tips below or download a PDF to keep handy.

  Summer Weather Tips 

In the spring and summer you should:

• Reduce the need to cool your home by shading east and west windows. When possible, delay heat-producing activities such as dish washing until the evening. Close curtains during the day, and install awnings on south-facing windows. Plant shade trees or vines.
• Try cooking outside on the BBQ or outdoor electric grill. This can help keep temperatures in the kitchen much lower.
• Switch to cold water washing of laundry in top-loading, energy-inefficient washing machines to save energy and up to $63 a year—detergents formulated for cold water get clothes just as clean; clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load.
• Dry clothes outside on the line to save energy the dryer can use, as well as to avoid the heat a dryer can generate.
• Raise your thermostat. If you have central air conditioning, this is the best one way to save energy. Programmable thermostats can be used to adjust temperature settings up to several times per day according to a preset schedule. Set your thermostat as high as you can and still maintain comfort.
• Ceiling and other fans can provide additional cooling and better circulation so you can raise the thermostat and cut down on air conditioning costs. Look for ENERGY STAR certified ceiling fans that can do an even better job, moving air up to 20 percent more efficiently than conventional models.
• Make sure ceiling fans are blowing down. Most fans have a switch to change the fan direction. Make sure ceiling fans are blowing downward (in a counter-clockwise direction) to send air past your body.
• Unplug equipment not in use. Electric chargers, televisions and audio/video equipment use electricity and produce heat even when they are not in use. Running an older refrigerator can use up to three times the energy of a modern one. Unplug any appliance when it's not in use.
• Turn off lights when not necessary and think about replacing incandescent bulbs with energy efficient compact flourescent lights (CFLs).

When using hot water, you should:

• Set the temperature on your hot water tank to 120 degrees. Extremely hot water can lead to higher energy costs and even scalding accidents.
• Keep showers short and use a low-flow showerheads. A shower takes less hot water than a bath, but only if it is short in duration.
• Wash only full loads in your washing machine and adjust the water level as needed.
• Use cold water to wash clothes.
• Check the condition of your hot tub cover and check for escaping steam. Insulation blankets help keep the tub toasty for your use.
• When cooking at home, you should:
• Stagger pans on upper and lower oven racks to improve air flow because food cooks more quickly and efficiently in ovens when air can circulate freely. Don't lay foils on racks.
• Use glass or ceramic pans in ovens. With those type of pans, you can turn down the temperature about 25 degrees and foods will cook just as quickly.
• Watch the clock or use a timer instead of opening the oven door frequently to check the food. Each time you open the door, the oven temperature drops by 25 degrees.

When you are at home, you should:

Turn on your old, inefficient fridge in the garage only for those few occasions when you need extra refreshments. Running all day and night, a 15 year-old refrigerator could cost up to $80 per year.

Keep your refrigerator closed while deciding what to eat. Each time you open the fridge door, the compressor has to run for eight to 10 minutes to keep the cold inside.

Make sure you and all your family members turn off the lights when leaving a room.

For more, go to do-it-yourself tips or contractor-assisted tips.

 Back to top.