GVEC – Customer Service – Energy Saving Tips

Your Part in Conservation

Energy Saving Tips

Today we are able to enjoy life's conveniences with dependable and low cost electric power that provides us lighting, heating, and cooling for our homes. In order to ensure our resources will remain available for years to come, we must all do our part to conserve. Taking actions to conserve energy and save money are extremely important and many do not require much time or effort. GVEC understands the importance of energy conservation and encourages you and your family to begin saving energy now to lower your electric bill and lend a hand in protecting our environment.

Click on any of the choices below to learn about ways you and your family can save energy in and around your home.

Heating

Set your thermostat to an energy-efficient 68 degrees.

Dressing accordingly for cooler temperatures allows for a more energy efficient temperature setting on your thermostat.

Electric blankets add warmth and cost less to operate than a central heating system.

Install a digital programmable thermostat to minimize run time of heating unit when your home is not occupied.

Check filters in your heating system monthly and replace as needed.

Install pleated air filters. They filter the air extremely well and allow for good airflow.

To assure proper operation, have your heating system serviced by a licensed HVAC contractor sometime in the fall so it will be operating efficiently for the winter.

Have a licensed HVAC contractor inspect the duct system for air leaks. Only approved mastics and UL tapes should be used to seal these leaks.

Return air chases should be lined and properly sealed to prevent drawing cold attic air into the system.

Keep heat pump condenser unit coils free of debris. Maintain at least a three-foot clear area around condensing units to allow for air circulation.

For energy efficient heating, consider installing a heat pump system with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 14 or higher with a minimum Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF) of 7.7. For new home construction or change outs, make sure the contractor completes a heating and cooling load calculation for your house to ensure proper sizing of the equipment. Proper sizing is key to energy efficiency and comfort.

Have a licensed HVAC contractor install an outdoor thermostat on the heat pump to keep emergency heat strips from unnecessarily turning on.

Kitchen and bathroom vent fans are needed to remove excessive moisture from the home, however do not run these fans for extended periods of time. Vent fans remove conditioned air from the home causing additional heater run time.

Keep the fireplace damper closed when not burning a fire.

Cut out and install a ridged piece of foam insulation in the fireplace opening to help stop unwanted drafts.

On sunny winter days, allow the sun to naturally heat the home by opening blinds and drapes on sun exposed glass areas.

On cold winter nights, close blinds and use insulated drapes to help retain your home's heat.

Limit use of portable electric heaters.

Do not cover roof vents during the winter or summer. Ventilation is necessary during the winter months to remove unwanted moisture that builds up in the attic.

Make sure the return air vent is not blocked by furniture, drapes, or any other object.

Cooling

Set your thermostat to an energy-efficient 78 degrees during the summer months.

Dress accordingly for warmer temperatures allowing for a more energy

efficient temperature setting on your thermostat.

Use fans to help circulate the air, causing you to feel cooler, but remember to only use fans in the room you are in at the time. Running fans all day in every room will not make the house any cooler.

Install a digital programmable thermostat to minimize run time of cooling unit when your home is not occupied.

Check filters in your cooling system monthly and replace as needed.

Install pleated air filters. They filter the air extremely well and allow good airflow. Avoid permanent air filters that restrict airflow.

To assure proper operation, have your cooling system serviced by a licensed HVAC contractor sometime in the spring so it will be operating efficiently for the summer.

Have a licensed HVAC contractor inspect the duct system for air leaks. Only approved mastics and UL tapes should be used to seal these leaks.

Return air chases should be lined and properly sealed to prevent drawing hot attic air into the system.

Make sure furniture, drapes, or any other objects do not block the return air vent of your cooling system.

Keep air conditioner condenser unit coils free of debris. Maintain at least a three-foot clear area around condensing units to allow for free air circulation.

For energy efficient cooling, consider installing a Heat Pump system with a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 14 or higher. For new home construction or change outs, make sure the contractor completes a heating and cooling load calculation for your house to ensure proper sizing of the equipment. Proper sizing is key to energy efficiency and comfort.

Keep the fireplace damper closed during the cooling season.

Kitchen and bathroom vent fans are needed to remove excessive moisture from the home; however, do not run these fans for extended periods of time. Vent fans remove conditioned air from the home causing additional air conditioner run time.

On sunny days, close blinds and drapes to prevent radiant heating and minimize run time of your cooling system.

On mild days, open the windows to allow in fresh, cool air. Be sure to turn off the central heating/cooling system to prevent it from cycling on.

Natural attic ventilation should consist of roof and soffit vents. If the roof design allows, continuous ridge and soffit vents are recommended.

Install solar screens on windows exposed to the sun to reduce the amount of solar heat gain.

Awnings and patio covers are excellent ways to shade your home from the hot Texas sun.

Enjoy cooking on an outside electric grill to reduce the amount of heat added to your home from cooking.

Home Lighting

Change out incandescent lighting to compact fluorescent lights and save money. A compact fluorescent bulb uses approximately one-third the energy and can last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Upgrade existing fluorescent fixtures with magnetic ballasts and T-12 tubes to fixtures with electronic ballasts and T-8 or T-5 tubes.

Turn off the lights! Keeping the lights off when a room is not in use will save energy.

Take advantage of natural lighting and open blinds and curtains and avoid turning on lights.

Replace a standard light switch with a wall switch occupancy sensor to automatically turn on the light when you enter a room and off when you leave.

Install motion sensors or photocells on outdoor fixtures so lights will only turn on at night or when someone is present. Timers on outdoor lighting fixtures or heat lamps can also save you money.

Replace outdated light switches. Touch sensitive light switches are a great alternative to the old toggle switch, providing convenience, energy-savings, and adding to the look of your home. A touch or slide dimmer, for instance, lets you adjust lighting for the mood or setting you want.

Use a 3-way bulb inside lamp fixtures, which adjusts in brightness (watts) with each turn of the switch and allows you to use only the necessary amount of light.

Limit the use of recessed lighting unless the fixtures are factory sealed and equipped to be insulated.

Home Appliance

When purchasing new electrical appliances, pay close attention to the energy

efficiency of those appliances as indicated on the Energy Label. This label gives information as to the estimated electrical consumption of the appliances and can be used to determine which appliance would be of the greatest value. While high efficiency appliances may cost a little more upfront, the cost will soon be recovered from lower operating costs and, better yet, the savings will continue for the life of the appliance.

Wash and dry only full loads of clothes.

Wash clothes in cold water.

Adjust the load size setting on your washer to match the size of the load.

Clean lint from the dryer filter after each use.

If possible, hang clothes outside to dry. They smell fresher and you save energy by not running the dryer.

When using a dishwasher, wash only full loads, or hand wash your dishes to save water and energy.

Clean the coils on refrigerators and freezers to maintain cooling efficiency. Make sure doors close and seal properly.

Defrost non-frost free refrigerators and freezers to maintain efficiency.

During summer months, refrigerators in un-vented areas like garages can consume considerable amounts of energy. Make sure refrigerators are located in vented areas.

If possible, use your microwave for small cooking projects. Microwaves use less energy and produce less heat than a cook top.

Install a timer and/or reduce run time of pool pumps. Consult your pool contractor for proper run time of your pool pump.

When not in use, keep spas covered and reduce the temperature setting.

Water Heating

Reduce hot water tank temperature to an energy-efficient 120 degrees.

Install low flow showerheads and faucet aerators to reduce hot water

consumption.

Take shorter showers and use less water during baths to help save on hot water and to reduce the amount of water being used.

Use cold water when washing clothes.

Adjust the load size setting on your washer to match the size of the load.

Hand wash dishes to save water. When using a dishwasher, wash only full loads.

Water heaters should be selected and sized in accordance with their intended use. Ask the dealer to assist you with selecting the proper size water heater for your particular application.

Water heaters are rated by their Energy Factor (E.F.), which is determined by the energy consumption and insulation level of the unit. The higher the E.F. the more energy efficient the unit is. A water heater with an Energy Factor of .91 or greater is recommended.

The manufacturer’s tank warranty is an indication of the quality and life expectancy of the water heater. A manufacturer’s tank warranty of 8 years or longer is recommended.

Water heaters should be installed as close to the point of use as possible. Multiple water heaters should be considered to reduce the length of hot water plumbing runs.

Insulate all exposed hot and cold water pipes to reduce heat loss.

Water heaters should be cleaned every two to three years to remove lime buildup and maintain the efficiency of the water heater in areas with hard water. Large mineral deposits cannot be removed by opening the drain valve. A qualified professional should do proper servicing.

Insulation

Upgrade attic insulation to a minimum of a R-30 value.

For homes with pier and beam construction, insulate floor area to a R-19 value.

Upgrade wall insulation to a minimum R-13 in exterior walls if the walls are opened for repair or remodeling. In some cases insulation can be blown into existing wall cavities.

Insulate all cold and hot water lines at the water heater and in attics and floor areas.

Inspect exposed knee wall insulation to make sure it has not come loose or fallen.

Knee walls and exterior walls should have similar construction. Knee walls must have sheathing installed on the attic side of the wall and both the top and bottom of the wall should be sealed.

When adding insulation to the attic, make sure that insulation is not blocking soffit vents preventing adequate ventilation.

Open wall cavities leading from the attic to the interior of the home or sub floors should be sealed at the top and insulated.

In new construction, wet blown cellulose, fiberglass, and spray foam wall insulations are excellent choices over conventional fiberglass batts. These products maintain their installed R-value rating and greatly reduce air infiltration in the wall cavities.

Insulation can settle over time, which will reduce the true value of your insulation. It is recommended that you have someone check the insulation in the attic if your home is over 10 years old.

Weatherization

A leaky duct system can greatly reduce the energy efficiency of your home.

Have a licensed HVAC contractor inspect your duct system for air leaks and make the necessary repairs. Only approved mastics and UL tapes should be used to seal these leaks.

Caulk or foam seal around plumbing penetrations through exterior and interior walls, under sinks, behind toilets and around showerheads.

Caulk or foam seal around all wiring penetrations.

Make sure doors and windows are sealed tight to prevent air leaks. Use weather strip and door sweeps on doors and caulk around windows and doorframes.

Install foam wall plate gaskets behind electrical outlets and light switches to stop air leaks.

Repair or replace any broken or damaged windows and exterior doors.

If your attic hatch or pull-down attic ladder is located inside the home, make certain it is sealed tight by using weather stripping to eliminate air infiltration.

If you use window units to cool your home, be sure any openings between the window and the unit are sealed properly. When a window unit is installed, an opening between the top windowpane and lower windowpane is created. Seal this opening with foam weather-stripping.

Cover window air conditioner units during the winter to prevent air infiltration.

Check all bathroom, kitchen and dryer vents to make sure dampers are in place and operating properly.

Fireplaces should have operable dampers, glass doors, and an outside air source to reduce the amount of conditioned air removed from the house while burning.

If the fireplace is not in use, make sure that the damper is closed. Cut out and install a ridged piece of foam insulation in the fireplace opening to help stop unwanted drafts.

Change out old non-airtight recessed lighting fixtures with airtight fixtures.

Install solar screens on windows exposed to the sun to reduce the amount of solar heat gain.

If installing new windows or replacing existing ones, install insulated, double pane, Southern Low-E glass windows with wood, vinyl or thermal break frames.

If installing or replacing exterior doors, use either solid core wood or metal insulated doors and make sure they are weather-stripped. Solid core wood decorative front doors can add eye appeal without sacrificing energy efficiency.

Attic access doors should be exterior type and weather-stripped.

If installing skylights, select energy-efficient models. Skylights should be of double domed construction with tinted or Southern Low-E glass. Skylight chase walls should be insulated and sealed on both sides.

Home and Site Design

Home Design:

Before building your new home, consult an architect or designer that has experience in energy efficient home design.

Do your homework! Educate yourself on what it takes to design and build an energy-efficient home in the hot Texas climate.

Select a home site that is advantageous to the design of your home.

Position the home on the site so that the sun has the least amount of impact or heat gain on the conditioned space of the home.

Face the largest amount of glass and wall areas to the north and south directions.

Expose a minimal amount of glass area to the east and west directions.

Limit the amount of glass area used in construction.

Shade glass areas using porches or overhangs that exceed two feet. Awnings and patio covers are excellent ways to shade your home from the hot Texas sun.

Take advantage of the sun’s lower position in the winter by designing the correct amount of overhang that allows heat to enter in to the home. More importantly this design should allow for adequate overhang to prevent the summer sun from entering into the home.

Avoid using skylights, but if installed, utilize energy-efficient materials and techniques.

Design a home that takes advantage of natural breezes and wind direction.

Place heat pump air handler units where they can be easily accessed for maintenance and servicing.

Place the air handler and ductwork in the conditioned space.

Place the outdoor condenser unit away from the west side of the home and away from the cold north winds.

Locate the air handler and condenser so that the refrigerant lines are not excessive in length.

Water heater locations should be close to the point of usage.

Light colored roofs help reflect the sun’s radiant heat. Dark roofs absorb heat.

Incorporate energy efficient fluorescent lighting instead of incandescent lighting.

Take advantage of natural lighting whenever possible.

Site Design:
Prepare for the hot summer sun and plant trees in locations that will shade your home during summer months. Winter is the time to plant trees. Trees should be of the deciduous type, meaning they lose their leaves in the winter, to allow the sun to warm your home.

Shrubs, trees, outside buildings, garages, or shops, if properly located, can create a windbreak from cold northern winds and can be used to block the hot Texas sun.
Xeriscape landscaping is attractive, saves water, and includes more than just cactus.

Windows, Doors and Skylights

Make sure doors and windows are sealed tight to prevent air leaks. Use

weather strip and door sweeps on doors and caulk around windows and doorframes.

Install solar screens on windows exposed to the sun to reduce the amount of solar heat gain.

If installing new windows or replacing existing ones, install insulated, double pane, Southern
Low-E glass windows with wood, vinyl or thermal break frames.

If installing or replacing exterior doors, use either solid core wood or metal insulated doors and make sure they are weather-stripped. Solid core wood decorative front doors can add eye appeal without sacrificing energy efficiency.

Attic access doors should be exterior type and weather-stripped.

If installing skylights, select energy-efficient models. Skylights should be of double domed construction with tinted or Southern Low-E glass. Skylight chase walls should be insulated and sealed on both sides.

Visit the following sites for more information on energy efficiency and to find energy-efficient products for your home.

U.S. Department of Energy
Energy Savers
Energy Star

The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only,
and is subject to change. The official documentation can be obtained by
contacting the GVEC headquarters office at 800-223-4832.

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	Educating Our Youth GVEC proudly sponsors the POWERHOUSE™ Program throughout schools in our service territory. The POWERHOUSE Energy Investigation program teaches middle school students where and how electricity is produced, how it works, how it affects the environment, and ways to save energy and money in their own home. The program allows the kids to share what they learn with their parents. If you would like students in your local school to learn important information about energy conservation, please contact GVEC at 800-223-GVEC.