Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

Energy Efficiency, Conservation and Weatherization

• Electric and Natural Gas
• Water Conservation

Simple changes in everyday activities can result in saving energy and water, which could lead to lower utility bills. The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) offers these tips for being more energy and water efficient.

Electric and Natural Gas

Living Room/Family Room

Minimize the use of your fireplace to reduce the amount of warm air escaping through the chimney. Keep the damper closed unless a fire is burning.

During the winter keep drapes and shades open during the day to allow sunlight to heat the house and closed at night to keep heat in. Doing the opposite during the summer will help keep the house cooler and cut down on air conditioner usage.

Bedroom

Plug any cracks or gaps around light switches, electrical outlets and windows to keep air from leaking in.

Close doors to any unoccupied rooms that are isolated from the rest of the house.

Attic/Basement

Add insulation to your attic and ducts.

Have a professional tune up and inspect your furnace once a year.

Kitchen

Use ventilation fans sparingly. These fans can pull out a houseful of warm air in one hour.

Cover pots and pans with lids to retain heat and reduce cooking time.

Water Conservation

If you feel your household is using too much water you can implement some of the steps below to conserve water in and around your home.

When deciding to water your yard and flower beds, try to do so during the cooler times of the day such as the morning or evening or on cloudy days. This helps to avoid rapid evaporation and allows more water to reach the roots. Early morning is the best time to water gardens and grass.

When using a sprinkler, place it where it will cover the most area you want watered. Avoid watering sidewalks, driveways and streets. Look into using drip irrigation and a timer to water only the areas that need watering.

Avoid using your toilet as a trash can since your toilet uses the most water of any item in the house. Older models can use between five and seven gallons of water per flush while new, low-flush toilets use a maximum of 1.6 gallons per flush.

Check all faucets, both inside and out, for leaks. While a small leak may not look like much of a problem, you could be loosing close to 140 gallons of water each month.

Turn the water off while shaving or washing your face.

Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.