Kauai Energy Conservation At Home

Energy conservation begins at home, and there are many things that people on Kauai can do. For the typical household in Hawaii, the top energy users are hot water, refrigeration, air-conditioning, clothes drying, cooking, and electric lighting. Here are steps you can take to use energy more efficiently.

Hot Water

• Install a solar water heating system.
• Turn down the temperature of your electric water heater to the warm setting (120°F).
• Install a low-flow showerhead and take short showers.
• Wash only full loads of clothes, and use cold water whenever possible.
• Fully load your dishwasher before running it.
• Air-dry dishes instead of using the drying cycle.

Refrigeration

• Shorten the amount of time you keep the refrigerator door open.
• Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. (You can test them by closing the door over a dollar bill so it’s half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the seal may need replacing.)
• Don’t keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer.
• Consider buying a new Energy Star unit.

Air-Conditioning

• Use ceiling fans and natural ventilation instead of air-conditioning. Utilizing Hawaii’s trade winds can save a lot of energy.
• If it’s time to purchase a new air-conditioner, consider buying an Energy Star model and be sure it’s the right size unit for your home.
• Install your air-conditioning unit on the north side of the house if possible or surround it with shrubs and other landscaping that shade it from the sun without blocking the airflow.

Clothes Drying

• Dry laundry naturally in a fresh breeze or the sunshine.
• Don’t over-dry your clothes. Use the moisture sensor if your dryer has one.
• Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
• These drying tips alone may save a typical family about $300 per year.

Cut Phantom Loads

• Phantom loads are from devices that use energy even when they are not in use – such as certain cell phone chargers, computer equipment, and devices that have a “standby” mode. Plug home electronics into smart power strips, which will eliminate phantom loads. This can account for as much as 15% of your energy bill.

Lighting

• Switch from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer. By replacing just one 100-watt light bulb that’s turned on six hours a day, you can save about $50 a year.
• Using CFLs in outdoor fixtures will save a lot of energy.
• Installing solar lighting outside your home is quick and easy and no electricity costs.