You can easily set customized schedules or limits to optimize efficiency for your home.

Start on the outside of your home and work your way inside.

• Do outdoor safety or entrance lights get left on all day?
• Can I schedule my sprinklers, pool equipment or garden hoses to run during more efficient hours of the day?
• What about limited-use spaces, like a back porch or garage? Lights in those spaces can be easily forgotten … and ignored.
• Your landscaping choices make a difference, too! Large, leafy trees should be located on the south and west sides of your home. The extra shade will help keep you cooler and reduce air conditioning use in the summer months. When those trees lose their leaves in fall and winter, you’ll get extra warmth from the sun. Consider wind breaks like pine trees, tall bushes or fences on the north side of your property to ward off winter’s chill.

Next, let’s look inside and consider your daily habits.

• Do you have appliances or devices that are left on in your home office after hours? Computers, printers, fax machines and chargers use small amounts of “standby energy” whenever they’re plugged in,
• To avoid vampire energy waste keep your devises on sleep mode when not in use.
• Use power strips to plug in printers, chargers, etc. so you can easily shut everything down with the flip of one switch!
• How about tasks like laundry and dishwashing? By running full loads of laundry or dishes, you will get the most out of your appliances and your energy dollar$
• Set your HVAC system on “auto” to create energy savings.

• Now on to lightbulbs… Just by switching five of the most frequently used lights from older bulbs to LEDs can make a substantial difference. They’ll last much longer, too.