Energy-Saving Tips for Your Home

Get the Most From Your Heating System

When your heating equipment works at peak efficiency, you reap the benefits in comfort and savings. Proper maintenance of your system is key for performance. And when you're ready to replace your current equipment, high-efficiency models really pay off.

• Get a heating system tune-up. A heating and cooling professional can perform an annual inspection and routine system maintenance to make sure your furnace is operating at peak performance.
  
  
• Replace furnace filters a minimum of every three months, especially if you have pets. A dirty or clogged filter will demand more energy and slow down the heating process. Make sure your furnace and hot water heater are properly ventilated.
  
  
• Allow heat to circulate. Once you have your furnace operating at peak performance, go through your home to be sure that heat is circulating properly. Prevent furniture, draperies and rugs from obstructing registers and heat vents. Keep radiators and registers dust-free.
  
  
• Install an ENERGY STAR^® smart thermostat. Take control of your energy savings, and adjust the temps of your home anytime, anywhere. Plys many learn your preferences automatically and establish a schedule when you are aways or asleep. 
  
  Take advantage of our instant rebate of up to $100 for a smart thermostat when purchased only on the NJNG Marketplace. 
  
  
• Install an ENERGY STAR high-efficiency furnace or boiler. Newly installed natural gas furnaces with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of 95% or greater or a boiler with an AFUE rating of 90% or higher are eligible for a rebate up to $850.* Contact NJNG’s The SAVEGREEN Project^® at 877-455-NJNG (6564) for more information and program specifics.
  
  *Terms and conditions apply.

Save Energy Dollars with Your Water Heater

Water heating is a typical family's third-largest energy expense, accounting for about 14% of utility bills. Take these simple steps to cut costs without sacrificing comfort.

• Insulate hot water pipes. Insulating hot water pipes from the water heater to the source is another way to conserve.
  
  
• Replace your old water heater. A new high-efficiency model will help save energy dollars. Newly installed water heaters with a Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association energy factor of .64 or higher are eligible for a rebate and 0% financing from NJNG's The SAVEGREEN Project.*
  
  *Terms and conditions apply.

Save Energy When Using Your Dishwashers

Dishwashers can consume less energy than washing by hand when used appropriately.

• Wash with full loads. Dishwashers use approximately 15 gallons of hot water per use. That's why you should always wash a full load of dishes. Washing dishes by hand could use as much as 20 gallons.
  
  
• Let dishes air-dry. If you do not have an automatic air-dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and open the door a little so that dishes dry faster.
  
  
• Replace an older model dishwasher. Upgrade to a new ENERGY STAR-rated model. Appliances account for about 12% of your energy bill. Newer, more energy-efficient models save energy and water.

Optimize Your Clothes Dryers

When you're looking to take a load off your energy bill, modifying when and how you use your clothes dryer can score you some additional savings.

• Install and ENERGY STAR-certified model, to maximize energy savings. NJNG's The SAVEGREEN Project provides rebates up to $200 for eligible washers and dryers.*
  
  *Terms and conditions apply.
    
• Clean the lint trap. Be sure to clean the trap after every use.
  
  
• Line-dry your clothes. Use the dryer for just a few minutes to soften line-dried clothes.
  
  
• Avoid over drying clothes. It wastes energy, causes shrinkage and shortens the life of the clothes.
  
  
• Run consecutive loads. This is a way to take advantage of accumulated heat.
  
  
• Vent your clothes dryer to the outside. This prevents buildup of excessive moisture in the laundry room, as well as the rest of the house.

Cook Smarter

Now that you're on an energy diet, consider these easy energy-saving food-preparation tips that might even reduce your time in the kitchen.

• Avoid preheating. Don't preheat your natural gas oven unless the recipe specifically requires it.
  
  
• Keep the oven door closed. Don't open the oven door while food is cooking. You can lose up to 50 degrees in temperature and waste energy.
  
  
• Plan ahead. Cook several meals at the same time.
  
  
• Adjust the flame to fit your pans. The flame should never come up around the sides of a pan.
  
  
• Keep the lid on. Keeping lids on your pots will make the water boil faster.

Make a Splash with Solar Pool Covers

Solar pool covers are an inexpensive way to save energy, conserve natural resources and get more enjoyment out of your pool.

• Use the sun to heat your pool. A solar pool cover heats your pool water naturally, which saves energy dollars. Using a solar pool cover can also extend your family's swimming season.
  
  
• Conserve water. You'll reduce evaporation and save on your water bill when you use a solar pool cover.
  
  
• Use fewer chemicals. A solar pool cover saves on chemicals - good for your budget and for the environment.
  
  
• Eliminate debris. Keep your pool cleaner and run your filter less by eliminating leaves and other debris with a solar pool cover.

Save Water

Leaking water is money down the drain. Plus, minimizing water use is good for the environment.

• Repair leaky faucets. A small leak that fills a coffee cup in 10 minutes wastes 3,280 gallons of water a year. If it's hot water, you're wasting energy, too. 
  
  
• Install low-flow faucets and showerheads. Older showerheads send up to 3-5 gallons per minute down your drain. New, easy-to-install conservation models provide a satisfying shower using only 2.5 gallons per minute or less. Don't forget you can get instant discounts on these products through the NJNG Marketplace. 
  
  
• Take a shower. Showers generally use less hot water than a tub bath.
  
  
• Turn off the tap. Don't let the tap water run unnecessarily while you wash or shave.

Keep these Other Energy-saving Tips in Mind

• Reduce the temperature. Every 24-hour period the thermostat settong is lowered by 1 degree can result in a 3% savings on your energy bill. Don't forget to install a smart  thermostat! Checkout the NJNG Marketplace for instant discounts on energy saving products, including up to $100 off a smart thermostat.* 
  
  *Terms and conditions apply.
   
• Dress a little warmer. Instead of turning up the thermostat when you feel a chill, grab a sweater or another layer of clothing. To trap body heat, wear thicker, knitted clothes and dress in layers, which traps insulating air near your body to keep you warmer.
  
  
• Let the sun shine in. Be sure to open draperies and blinds on sunny days to let the sunlight warm your home. But remember to close them at night and on overcast days.
  
  
• Don't heat unused rooms. If you have a spare bedroom or another room that is not used regularly, heating it unnecessarily will waste energy dollars. Adjust the airflow on registers to a minimum. Caution: Make sure the unused space gets enough heat in winter to prevent plaster from cracking or water pipes from freezing and bursting pipes or radiators.
  
  
• Use ceiling fans to help circulate warm air. Since heat rises, ceiling fans can keep your home energy-efficient and warm in the winter by circulating the warmer air down from the ceiling into the living area.
  
  
• Find and plug leaks and gaps. Plug gaps around pipes, ducts, fans and vents that go through walls. Use caulk to seal around plumbing that goes through walls. Use caulking products rated for high temperatures when sealing around combustion appliance vents. 
  
  
• Insulate. Make sure your home is well insulated to prevent heat from escaping. Check levels of insulation in the attic, walls and floors. Insulate ducts in unheated spaces. Most ducts are in crawl spaces, attics and outdoor locations. If your ducts aren't already insulated, do it now using R-6 or higher fiberglass insulation and install according to manufacturer's specifications.
  
  Start with a $49 Quick Home Energy Checkup+. This home comprehensive energy analysis helps uncover ways to improve the comfort, safety and efficiency of your home.* Plus, we’ll include for free  some simple, energy-saving measures. Terms and conditions apply.
  
  *Terms and conditions apply.
  
  
• Lock out the cold. Make sure storm windows are in place and fasten tightly and storm doors close properly before cold weather arrives. When windows are locked, the sashes and insulation should meet each other perfectly and reduce outside drafts that infiltrate the home. Replace broken glass, worn weather stripping and improperly fitting doors.
  
  
• Put heat loss under wraps. If you leave your air conditioning unit in your window year round, wrap it in a protective cover and seal up any spaces that could allow heat to escape. Do not cover a heat pump. Put an insulating jacket around an older-style water heater.

Check Out These Resources to Help You Save 

Check out these other resources for additional ways to save energy and money: