Wright-Patterson Air Force Base - Energy Saving Tips

Winter

Thermostats should be set no higher than 72 degrees during the day and evening when people are home.
During each 24-hour period, you will save about 3% on heating expenses for every 1-degree that you lower the thermostat setting.
For the 8-hour period at night when you are sleeping, you will save an extra 1% on heating expenses for every 1-degree that you set back the thermostat.
If you feel there is a problem with the heat in your home, do not use the stove for additional heat - it is dangerous. Resident should contact the Maintenance Office for a service request.
Do not open your windows if it gets too hot in your home. The furnace will pump out more heat until the window is closed or the thermostat is turned down.
On sunny days take advantage of the free heat. Open blinds and curtains, especially windows facing the south. At night, close the blinds and curtains to help keep heat in rather than allowing it to escape through the window.

Summer

During the day, to keep heat out, keep window blinds closed.
Keep the windows closed to keep hot air from blowing in.
In the evening and early morning hours, open windows to allow cooler air in.

Hot Water

Notify management when you notice any faucet drips. One drip can waste up to 48 gallons of water a week.

Kitchen/Stove

Use pots and pans that fit the burners. Keep oven and burners clean. A clean oven uses energy more efficiently.
Use the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking.
Don't peek. Every time you open the oven door to look at the food, the oven temperature is lowered by 25 to 75 degrees.
Don't use the oven to help heat your home. This is a great fire hazard and the fumes over a period of time can make you sick.

Refrigerator

Check the gasket for gaps or improper fit. The door should close firmly.
Let food cool before putting it in the refrigerator.
Clean the coils on the back of the refrigerator once a year. Be sure to unplug first and use a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush.

Dishwasher/Garbage Disposal

Run the dishwasher when it is fully loaded and stack dishes in the proper locations.
Check and clean dishwasher drain periodically for small particles of food.
Scrape dirty dishes with cold rather than hot water.
Run disposer with cold water rather than hot.
To help maintain the life of the disposer run the disposer while putting a tray of ice cubes in it with cold water running every 2 weeks.

Washer/Dryer

Use hot water only for very dirty clothes. Most clothes can be washed in either warm or cold water.
Sort and organize laundry so that you will be doing full loads. Be careful not to overload.
Clean the lint from the dryer filter after each use.
Operate the dryer like the washer: don't overload it.
Group similar types of fabrics together before drying them. A lower temperature may be used for certain fabrics.

I wanted to give kudos to Properties at Wright Field maintenance and leasing staff for doing such a great job. Not only do they care about our neighborhood, but they work hard to keep us happy. They have always taken me seriously no matter how small the problem was, and they would take care of it immediately. When we thought a key was broken in our back door lock, they were out within an hour to change the lock and fix the door. They not only solved the problem, but they gave us peace of mind. I just wanted to let you know the quality of care in the Properties at Wright Field is high.

- from the Skywrighter