Greening Your Home
Save Energy, Save Money, and Help the Environment
One of the goals of the Lower Gwynedd Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is to educate and empower residents to make sustainable choices at home. Small changes can have a big impact on your utility bills, your home's efficiency, and our community's environmental footprint.
Easy Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Lighting & Electronics
- Replace traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs.
- Turn off lights when they're not in use.
- Use natural daylight whenever possible.
- Unplug electronics and chargers when not in use.
- Avoid leaving your cell phone plugged in overnight.
Heating & Cooling
- Set your thermostat to 78°F in summer and 68°F in winter.
- Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures throughout the day.
- Seal cracks, gaps, and leaks around doors and windows. Proper insulation and air sealing can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10%.
- Use ceiling fans to improve comfort and reduce air conditioning use.
- Close blinds and curtains duringhot summerdays and open them during winter to take advantage of natural sunlight.
- Keep air filters clean and replace them regularly.
Outdoor Lighting
- Install timers or photocells on outdoor lighting to ensure lights operate only when needed.
Kitchen & Laundry
- Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible.
- Run dishwashers and laundry machines during evening hours to reduce strain on the electrical grid.
- Air dry dishes instead of using the heated dry setting.
- Use your microwave for smaller meals instead of the oven or stove.
- Avoid opening the oven door while cooking.
- Turn off the oven a few minutes early and allow residual heat to finish cooking your food.
Appliances
- Keep refrigerators and freezers properly filled to improve efficiency.
- Defrost freezers before ice buildup exceeds ¼ inch.
- Follow manufacturer recommendations for refrigerator temperature settings.
- Avoid placing heat-producing appliances near thermostats.
Simple Everyday Habits
- Dress for the season before adjusting the thermostat.
- Turn off bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans when no longer needed.
- Consider upgrading older windows to more energy-efficient model