Energy Saving Changes You Can Make In Your House

• Turn down your thermostat.  For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you will save up to 5% on heating costs.  Set the thermostat back to 55 degrees or off at night or when leaving home for an extended time to save between 5-20 percent of your heating costs.  http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/flex/tips.html

• Plug your home's leaks.  Install weather-stripping  or caulk leaky doors and windows and install gaskets behind outlet covers.  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing

• Use appliances efficiently. Do only full loads when using your dishwasher and clothes washer.  Clean your clothes dryer's lint trap after each use.   Use the moisture-sensing automatic drying setting on your dryer if you have one.   http://www.ase.org/powersmart/docs/cmclean.html

• When buying new large appliances, choose Energy StarŪ-certified models. For example, a new Energy StarŪ-refrigerator uses about 20% less energy than a standard new refrigerator, and 46% less than one made in 1980.  A new Energy StarŪ clothes washer uses nearly 50% less energy than an standard washer.  http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/homeandwork/homes/inside/appliances/index.htm

• Calculate your home's energy use and potential savings from Energy StarŪ labeled appliances at the http://www.pge.com/res/energy_tools_resources/energy_calculator/index.shtml.

• Reduce hot water temperature.  Set your water heater to the "normal" setting or 120° unless the owner's manual for your dishwasher requires a higher setting.  Savings are 7-11% of water heating costs.  http://energyoutlet.com/res/waterheat/waterheater.html

• Wrap the hot water tank with jacket insulation.  This is especially valuable for older water heaters with little internal insulation.  Be sure to leave the air intake vent uncovered when insulating a gas water heater.  Savings up to 10% on water heating costs.  http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phtv_se_wh_ma_000553.hcsp

• Use PG&E's Home Energy Survey to profile your home's energy use. http://www.pge.com/res/energy_tools_resources/english_survey/index.html