FortisTCI

Energy Conservation Tips

partner with us in being energy efficient in our conservation efforts

Fuel cost is increasing every day and we have agreed not to increase our rates in 2008. With that, we encourage our customers and employees to partner with us in being energy efficient in our conservation efforts. Here are some tips that we can all practice in our daily lives.

Tips for the Kitchen:

  • When using the electric range, plan ahead and cook a number of dishes or meals for later use. Open oven doors only when necessary.
  • Allow hot foods to cool before putting them in the refrigerator. Make sure you don‘t over-crowd shelves or block the circulation of air inside.

Tips for the Bedroom & Living Room:

  • Consider window fans, ceiling fans or whole-house fans, which use much less power, as an alternative to air conditioners.
  • Close your blinds, shades or draperies during the hottest part of the day.
  • Heat or cool only the rooms you are using. Close off unused rooms.
  • Shut off your air conditioner if you leave home for an extended period of time.
  • Install energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. (They give off less heat and use as much as 75% less energy than regular bulbs).
  • Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use: lights, TVs, computers, microwaves, CD players, etc. ("Standby power" usage can account for up to 30 percent of your home electronics energy. Be sure to check the owner‘s manual to make sure this won‘t impact the memory or performance of the machine).

Tips for the Laundry Room & Bathroom:

  • Reduce the water heater thermostat setting to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce use of heated water for clothes washing.
  • For fewer wrinkles and shorter drying time, never overload your dryer.
  • Use the maximum washing time only for heavily soiled clothes. (Washing longer than necessary wastes energy and wears out clothes).
  • Air conditioners work to remove humidity, so reverse moisture-making jobs such as laundry and bathing for either early morning or at night when it‘s cooler.

Tips for the Office:

  • Activate "sleep" features on computers and office equipment that power down while on, but not in use for awhile. Turn them off altogether during long periods of non-use to cut utility costs and extend longevity.
  • Turn on air conditioning later in the day. (Delaying system startup by 30 minutes to an hour will really help.)
  • Turn off systems earlier in the workday. (Your building should remain cool and comfortable for an hour or more.)