Checking for Air Leaks
On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick next to your windows, doors, electrical outlets and anywhere air can come in from the outside. If the smoke stream travels horizontally, you've found an air leak. Caulk, seal or weatherstrip.

Staying Warm

• Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed.
• Let the sun in during the winter through south-facing windows and close blinds at night to keep the warmth in.

Cooling Off

• Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool any faster and will cost you more.
• Don't place lamps or appliances near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances and may run longer.
• Shade your air conditioning unit. It'll use as much as 10% less electricity in the shade.

Cooling Food

• Don't keep your office refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37-40 degrees Fahrenheit for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and 5 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer section.
• Don't allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.
• Test the airtightness of your refrigerator doors. Close the door over a piece of paper so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.
• Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
• Vacuum your refrigerator's condenser coils once a year unless you have a no-clean condenser model.