ORCCA: Feed • House • Warm • Educate

WORKING WITH YOUR UTILITY COMPANY

• Washers: Always wash full loads of clothes but don’t over load the machine. Always use cold water; hot water is needed only for a few items: such as diapers, greasy work clothes, and to kill dust mites and lice in bedding. When buying a new washer, consider a front-loading washer; these washers use 60% less energy 40% less water and less detergent. Try to buy a washer with multiple water level settings.
• Dryers: In dry weather hang clothes on an outside clothesline, but don’t hang wet clothes indoors or in basements, the moisture may cause condensation and mold problems all over the house. Clean the lint filter after each use this helps the dryer to work properly and vent. Once or twice a year try to clean the vent hose and make sure the air is moving freely through it.  Dry full loads of clothes and use the auto dry feature if your dryer has it.
• TIP: Don’t vent the dryer into the house or basement, this causes condensation and mold in the home.

• The recommended temperature setting for hot water is 120 degrees.
• Save about $10 a month by installing water saving shower heads which reduce the flow of water and are just as effective. They’re designed to give a powerful spray using as little as 1 gallon per minute of water.
• On/off aerators are available for both kitchen and bathroom sinks for water conservation.
• Don’t fill the bathtub deeper than needed. Every inch deep that you fill the tub uses 5 gallons of water.

• Windows: Caulk windows, doors and anywhere air leaks in or out of your home. Weather strip around windows and doors.Install shades or awnings on windows facing south and/or west to block summer light. During winter open shades on sunny days to help warm rooms.
• Doors: Weather strip doors as needed. If weather strip is already in place; make sure it is in good condition or replace it. Tighten hinges and make sure the door fits properly and hangs correctly. Use a rolled up towel to keep the heat in and the cold air out that may come in from under the door.

• Space heater: Always plug cord directly into the outlet; using an extension cord can be a fire hazard. Keep heaters at least one foot from the drapes and furniture and always turn space heaters off when going to bed or leaving the house.
• Power strips: Plug your television, VCR, DVD, and stereo into a power strip and when you are finished using components turn them off and flip the switch on the power strip. This keeps the electricity from flowing to those appliances when not in use and helps you save money. It is also safer for the children in the house to flip the switch off than playing with the plug.
• Gaskets: Use gaskets behind switch plates and outlet plates to stop the cold air from coming into the house. Child safety caps can also be used in the outlets that are not being used to keep the cold air out.
• Fireplaces: Fireplaces can be a big energy waster, even with the damper closed the cold air is still getting through, and if you have cold air coming in you have money and heat escaping. Put a piece of card board in front of the fireplace when not in use to minimize the cold air. If not used at all, duct tape the card board to the front of the fireplace and put a piece of furniture in front of it.