Get the most from your ceiling fan.  In summer, it should turn in a counter-clockwise direction.  In the winter, run it at low speed, but clockwise.

When the Air Conditioning is on, close the doors and windows tightly.  Save even more by turning off kitchen and bath exhaust fans.

Write this tip on your calendar.  Change or clean your air conditioner air filter at least once a month, get on the ACFOOL reminder e-mail notice program click here filter@acfool.com Let ACFOOL.com HELP YOU SAVE$ on YOUR ENERGY BILLS!

Know your ratings:  Your air conditioner should have a high seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) like 13 seer.

Here is an easy tip: Set YOUR thermostat fan switch to “AUTO” and save up to $25 a month.  Leaving it in the “ON” position keeps air running constantly.  In the Cooling mode and the fan runs constantly, you most likely have a mold issue problem and do not know it.  Moisture comes off of the air handler coils, into the duct work and then back in to your home environment making you uncomfortable with this high humidity.  You may need a mold test kit and a UV Light.  At ACFOOL.com, we suggest that ALL air conditioners should have a UV Light.  If you have run you air in the “ON” mode in the Cooling mode you most likely have a mold health issue and you had to pay for the energy down the drain.

Block the sun from overheating your home!  Inside, use shades, blinds and drapes. Outside, get a new energy saving unit before you might invest in awnings, trees, and shrubs.

Does your air conditioner need a tune up?  Get it checked now, operational problems can cause extremely high energy bills. 

Does your computer have a fever?  Set it to “low power” mode and you will save energy and keep your computer from over-heating.

Unplug your home office!  In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.

In the mood for saving?  Use three-way lamps to reduce energy and increase your lighting options.

Does your house have poor circulation?

Recycling last night’s dinner?  Use microwaves and toaster ovens to cook or warm leftovers.  You could save up to 30% of the energy required to cook in a conventional oven.

Got porous block walls?  They are drafty.  Inject wall foam insulation to keep the outside air out.

Blasting the heat in cold weather?  Raising your heat pump temperature activates the electric heat strip and uses 3 times the energy.  A steady temperature keeps your electric bill lower.

A good way to reduce high home cooling and heating costs is to get more attic insulation.  You need at least R-19 or higher.

Believe it or not, your laundry detergent works just as well with cold water.  By washing with cold water versus hot water can save 50 cents per load.

Set your thermostat at 68-70 degrees during the day and 60-65 degrees at night.

You would not leave your front door open all night, would you?  So, close the flue in your fireplace (When not in use), and install glass doors to keep the warm air in.

It is less expensive to keep your home at 70 degrees if the outside temperature is 50 degrees than if it is at 30 degrees.  It is even cheaper to break out the blankets!

#22  Cooling

Did you know leaky ducts can waste 1/3 of all heating and cooling costs?  Seal your ducts!

Light-colored curtains allow light to enter a room without reducing privacy.  Light paint reflects heat and in hotter climates every little bit helps.

#24  Heating & Cooling

Do not make your system work harder or fail premature.  Make sure drapes and furniture are not blocking any vents.

Dirty filter waste energy.  Change the filters in your system every month for optimum efficiency and to benefit your health.

Halogen bulbs get hot enough to be a fire hazard.  Replace them with compact fluorescent (CFL) Bulbs.  CFLs use less energy, produce more light and do not get as hot.  This also saves on your cooling bills.

I sense some savings coming on!  Use convenient, and energy efficient motion-detector lights for all your outdoor lighting.

Give your outdoor unit the space it needs to work most efficiently.  Never stack anything against it or drape anything over the unit.  This is like putting a bag over your head…you suffer a premature death.  ACFOOL has seen too many of these cases in our careers.

The most-energy efficient duct system is not in your attic.  If you are building a home, consider running your air ducts through air conditioned space.  Saves 20-30% for your heating and cooling bill…wow!  Always have your ducts sealed.

Heat bill rising?  Check your hot water pipes for leaks, which can drain your energy savings.  Water bills will also be up!  When the teenagers leave home, not only do you save on your water usage bills but you will not have to heat so much how water.

Furniture fading fast?  High-performance windows, screens and films protect upholstery, wood and artwork from UV Light rays while saving energy.

How low is your flow?  Low-flow showerheads make a big difference especially if you can not bring yourself to take shorter showers!

Setting your temperature between 35-38 degrees keeps food safe and savings high.

Leaving home for a few days?  Have FUN!  And turn off your water heater until you get back.

Water 101: Showers use up to 30% of your household water – so shorten those showers to cut hot water costs.

Insulate the first six feet of the hot AND cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

In an energy-saving popularity contest, solar water heaters win bib.  Over 94% of the 1.5 million solar water heater owners consider the solar systems a good investment.

Old water heater still chugging along?  Do not replace, get an insulation wrap (A Blanket) to help the old guy hold the heat in.

After their long lives, make sure to recycle your CFL bulbs.  Check out www.lamprecycle.org to find out how, where and why.

Hot water heaters come pre-set with factory temperature settings.  Change yours to 120 degrees-it is comfortable for most of your hot water needs.  Be sure to turn the water heater off before you change the settings.

Which water heater to but?  The government has a guide for you called…EnergyGuide.  Look for the EnergyGuide label – if a more efficient water heater more expensive, you will save money over time. 

All major home appliances must meet the Appliance Standards Program set by the US Department of Energy (DOE). Manufacturers must use standard test procedures developed by DOE to prove the energy use and efficiency of their products. Test results are printed on yellow EnergyGuide label, which manufacturers are required to display on many appliances. This label estimates how much energy the appliance uses, compares energy use of similar products, and lists approximate annual operating costs. Your exact costs will depend on local utility rates and the type and source of your energy.

An ENERGY STAR qualified appliance must carry the EnergyGuide label. EnergyGuide labels frequently note whether the product is ENERGY STAR qualified.

#43  Water Heating

No one likes getting on a ladder to replace outdoor bulbs.  Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) last up to 10 times longer. 

#45  Water Heating

Let’s make a deal!  If you have to use hot water on laundry, just cut your wash time and save. 

#46 LightingI

f Americans replaced their five most-used light fixtures and/or bulbs with Energy Star products, we would save about $8 billion a year in energy costs.  Remember, oil is going up! 

#47 Water Heating

Solar water heaters can save up to 80% on your water heating portion of your electric bill. Not 80% of the total bill. 

#48  Refrigeration

Unless the second refrigerator is filled to the gills, pull the plug on that second fridge in the hot garage or utility room and save money. 

#50  Office

Did you know laptops use less energy that desktop computer?  Well, ACFOOL says so!  So consider laptops the next time you are looking for a computer. 

#51  Refrigeration

If your refrigerator door seal leaks, you are wasting energy.  Repair seals if there is cold air around the closed door or if moisture is collecting in this area. 

#52  Refrigeration

The next time you dust your home, dust your fridge.  Check the coils behind the refrigerator- and use coil vacuums or dusters to clean it off and keep energy costs down.  Now if you do not like to dust…see ACFOOL Indoor Air Quality section for superior filters to be a helper to reduce your dust in your home.  And good filers help improve your health!