Programmable Thermostats – while a programmable thermostat alone will not save you money, it will make it easier to keep your living space comfortable and prevent you from heating or cooling when you don’t need it. According to the EPA, for every 1 degree reduction in thermostat setting over an 8-hour period, you can save 1% on your heating bill. By just following the chart below, that means 20% savings per month in the winter! All this for an investment of as little as $50. You can even install it yourself!

Programmable Thermostat Setpoint Times & Temperatures

Setting Time Wake          6 AM Day             8 AM Evening       6 PM Sleep        10 PM

Setpoint Temperature (Heat) = 70° F = 78° F Setback at least 8° F = 70° F = 78° F Setback at least 8° F

Setpoint Temperature (Cool) Setup at least 7° F Setup at least 4° F

     
Unplug unused electronics  and chargers – did you know that even when most of your electronic devices are off, they still draw power? Even most mobile phone chargers use electricity when the device isn’t plugged in. These “phantom” loads may seem small, but the EPA estimates it could make up as much as 5% of electricity used in the U.S. The solution is easy and free: unplug it! The EPA also recommends using plug strips for your electronics and chargers so you can make the task as simple as flipping a switch.

Energy Savings Options from First Energy including links to: Home Energy Analyzer, Appliance Rebate Program, Appliance Turn-In Program, CFL Discounts, HVAC Program. Plus, 100 tips to improve your electric bill.



Turn on computer energy-saving features – computers use a lot of energy. By turning on the energy-saving features built in to the computer’s operating system, you can start saving electricity instantly. These settings will put your computer to “sleep” when you’re not using it, but still allow it to turn on in seconds when you come back. Be sure to do the same with your monitor, too!

Don’t idle your car – modern cars start up very quickly and engine wear from on-off cycles has been reduced to almost nothing. Because of these developments, if you are idling for longer than about 10 seconds, you will save gas by turning the engine off.

Bike or walk when possible – besides being great exercise, biking or walking instead of driving can save you money on gas and car-care. Plus it’s fun and a great way to spend time with the family! For more biking/commuting information

Make the day’s lunch in reusable containers – the Sierra Club estimates that school lunches generate as much as 67 pounds of waste per child annually. That’s over 150 tons from Cranberry school students! Packing lunch in reusable containers not only cuts down on this trash, it saves money spent on plastic bags or aluminum foil.

Turn down water heater – the EPA recommends setting your hot water heater to less than 120 degrees F. Because standard heaters keep water hot at all times, small changes in temperature can add up over the course of a year to as much as $60. If your heater is over ten years old, consider replacing it with an EnergyStar qualified model. Some newer technologies use 50% less energy than older heaters.

Start backyard composting – composting is easy, reduces your weekly trash pickup and provides you with nutritious fertilizer for your yard or houseplants. Cranberry offers classes and information about composting, check out this page for more information.

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Efficiency Options: EnergyStar ratings – EPA’s EnergyStar program was created in 1992 to standardize energy efficiency ratings for appliances. They have since expanded to all types of electronics and home & office products, from televisions and computers to furnaces and home insulation. Each type of product has a comprehensive list of requirements that must be met in order to earn the EnergyStar label. They also provide a great deal of information for homeowners and businesses on how to save energy and money. The following is a list of all home products that can carry an EnergyStar label. Visit the EnergyStar website for more information about these products and more.

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Upgrade lighting – standard incandescent bulbs use four or more times as much energy to produce the same amount of light as newer technologies, such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). CFLs are the most popular low-energy bulbs and are an extremely cost-effective upgrade, as they work in most sockets that incandescent bulbs can. According to the EPA, a single CFL can save $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in as little as 6 months. However, since CFLs contain trace amounts of mercury, they must be properly recycled, NOT placed with regular trash. As part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, incandescent bulbs will be mostly phased-out by 2014, starting with 100-watt bulbs in 2012.

Install low-flow water fixtures – more than half of the energy used by the Cranberry government’s operations is at the wastewater treatment plant. Especially with the Township’s continuing growth, managing water use is a top priority. If you are replacing a faucet, toilet or showerhead, consider getting an EPA WaterSense-labeled product. These fixtures will save you money on your water bills and save Cranberry money on water treatment. As an alternative to a new fixture, try an inexpensive aerator to reduce your water consumption.