Time to Clean Up on Spring Energy Savings

Washington, DC () - The first days of spring often bring with them thoughts of spring cleaning.  When you're busy washing the woodwork and sweeping under the rugs, don't forget about cleaning your home's appliances and energy-consuming equipment.  You'll be making your home more comfortable and enjoyable, and you'll also be getting more value from your energy dollar, according to Edison Electric Institute.

Listed below are ten tips to get you started and an estimate on the electricity savings you can expect:

• Dust the light bulbs and shades, and install compact fluorescent lamps (save about 66 percent on lighting cost per fixture).
• Clean/replace the air conditioning system's filter (save up to 5 percent on cooling costs), and set the thermostat to 78 degrees for times when someone is home, and at 85 degrees when the house is vacant (save 1 - 2 percent on cooling costs for each degree you raise the thermostat setting).
• Dust the curtains, and on hot, sunny days, close those on windows facing south and west closed (save 2 - 4 percent on cooling costs).
• Trim back any plants or vines growing around the outdoor air conditioner unit, and have a professional tune up the system (save up to 5 percent on cooling costs).
• Vacuum the refrigerator's coils, and if the unit is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model (save at least 40 percent on its electricity use).
• Flush out the sediment from the bottom of the water heater tank, and set its temperature to 120 degrees (save 7 to 11 percent of water heating costs).
• Clean out the swimming pool, and switch the pool filter and sweeper operations to early morning or late evening hours.  Also, consider replacing pool pumps and motors with energy-efficient equipment (energy savings depend on your use).
• Thoroughly dust computers, CD/DVD players, TVs, and VCRs, and then unplug them when not in use (save up to 30 percent on their overall electricity use-note that the programming settings on some appliances may be affected).
• Wash/dry full loads of clothes during the evening and use cold water as often as possible (save up to 4 percent on water heating costs).
• Scrub the tub, and then install energy-saving showerheads, faucets or flow restrictors (cut water-heating costs by 10 percent to16 percent).

For tips on how you can save energy all-year round, please contact your electric company or visit their Web site.  They have free, energy-saving information, and many companies also offer energy-saving incentive programs.  For more information on electricity, as well as a listing of electric company incentive programs by state, please visit www.getenergyactive.org.

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The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies. Our members serve 95 percent of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. electric power industry. We also have more than 65 International electric companies as Affiliate members, and more than 170 industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate members.