Energy Efficiency Tips

The Envelope

Your home's envelope is the barrier between your conditioned interior and the outside heat. Keeping it tight is the single best thing you can do for energy savings in Las Vegas.

• Seal gaps around doors and windows with weatherstripping and caulk.
• Upgrade to double-pane windows if possible.
• Install solar screens -- the most cost-effective upgrade for desert homes. Solar screens block up to 90% of heat before it reaches your windows, keeping the glass cool and reducing the load on your AC.

Lighting

• Switch to LED bulbs. They use a fraction of the energy and produce far less heat than incandescents.
• Use natural light when possible, especially in rooms with solar screens that reduce glare and UV.
• Install timers and motion sensors so lights only run when needed.

HVAC

• Change filters monthly during summer. A dirty filter forces your system to work harder and costs you money.
• Set your thermostat to 76-78 degrees. Every degree lower adds roughly 3% to your cooling bill.
• Use ceiling fans to supplement your AC. Fans let you raise the thermostat a few degrees without losing comfort.
• Have your AC serviced annually before the summer season hits.

Appliances

• Use cold water for laundry. Heating water accounts for a big chunk of energy use.
• Enable sleep mode on electronics and unplug chargers when not in use.
• Set your water heater to 120F. Most homes don't need it any higher, and every 10 degrees costs you.