Contact
Charlottesville Community Design Center (CCDC)
On the east end of the Downtown Mall
100 5th Street NE
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434-984-2232
Email CCDC
Keep Your AC Unit Cool
If possible, keep your room air conditioner out of the sun. Room air conditioners work best when kept cool. Installing one in a north-facing wall is usually ideal.
Feels Great at 78!
If you have central air conditioning, keep your thermostat at 78 degrees. You also save approximately six to seven percent on cooling costs for each degree set above 78.
Spin Me Right Round
Ceiling fans minimize the need for air conditioning in summer, or at least allow you to nudge the thermostat up a few degrees.
Hold the Cool In
Close blinds, drapes and shades during the hottest part of the day. This keeps direct sunlight from overheating your home.
Be a Smart Cook
Use your stove’s exhaust fan to blow hot air out of your kitchen while you’re cooking. The savings on your cooling costs far outweigh the electricity used by the fan. Instead of using your stove, which can generate heat on an already hot day, fire up the grill for cooking or consider using your microwave or other countertop appliances.
Turn it Down
Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to save money on your electricity bill and also prevent the risk of scalding with hot water.
Change ‘Em Out
Install compact fluorescent light bulbs in your most-used fixtures and lamps. Fluorescent bulbs put out less heat, plus you’ll save $30 to $40 in energy costs over the life of each bulb.
Clean at Night
Turn Postpone laundry and dishwashing until nighttime to avoid generating extra heat in your home. Also, consider taking advantage of drying the laundry outside.
Make the Most of Your AC
Keep A/C filters and coils clean and reduce the system’s power consumption by 10 percent or more. A dirty air filter reduces airflow, and a dirty condenser coil retains heat and is less efficient. Clean the condenser coil every two years and change filters monthly during peak cooling seasons.
Unplug the Extra Fridge
That old clunker of a refrigerator in the basement could cost the equivalent of 10 cases of beverages in wasted energy each year and add unwanted heat into your living space. Need cold drinks for a party? Plug in the fridge the night before.
Bust Phantom Energy
As much as 75 percent of electricity used by electronics occurs while the devices are off. Big-screen and plasma TVs, stereo systems and computer peripherals are the worst offenders and add unwanted heat to your living space. Curtail phantom energy loss by using power strips.
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