Dining Room

Courtesy of energystar.gov

There are many things you can do to save energy in your dining room.

Light Fixture
Replace light fixtures or the bulbs in them with ENERGY STAR qualified lighting.

Conventional chandeliers with many lights can be one of the highest wattage fixtures in the home. There are now more stylish and decorative options in energy-efficient light fixtures available. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified chandeliers, torchieres, ceiling mounted and wall sconces at home centers, lighting showrooms and specialty stores. ENERGY STAR qualified lighting provides bright, warm light while using 75% less energy, generating 70 percent less heat and lasting up to 10 times longer than standard lighting.

Light Switch
Remember to always turn off your lights when leaving a room. Turning off just one 60-watt incandescent bulb, that would otherwise burn eight hours a day, can save about $15 per year!

Programmable Thermostat
Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home's temperature settings when you're away or sleeping.

When used properly, a programmable thermostat with its four temperature settings can save up to $150 a year in energy costs. Learn how to get this energy savings with ENERGY STAR's Guidelines for Proper Use of Programmable Thermostats.

Save with a manual thermostat, too! Every degree you set your thermostat up in hot weather or down in cold weather will help you save on your overall energy bill.

More info on saving energy with thermostats: It's a common misperception that it takes more energy to cool off (or heat up) a house than it takes to keep it cool all the time. Turning up the thermostat in summer (or down in winter) will always save energy. It's best to only cool (or heat) a house as much as necessary, based on occupants and time of day.

It's easy to forget to adjust the thermostat when leaving the house or going to bed, and it takes time for the house to cool off (or warm up) once the thermostat is adjusted, which can be uncomfortable. Here's where a programmable thermostat pays off, because it automatically adjusts the temperature when your home is empty, and when you go to sleep. Total energy savings will depend on your climate and the efficiency of your house and heating and cooling system.

Floor Vents/Radiators
Make sure all air registers or floor vents are clear of furniture so that the air can circulate freely. If your home has radiators, place heat-resistant reflectors between radiators and walls. In the winter, this will help heat the room instead of the wall.

Sliding Door
Apply caulking around door frames and weather-stripping around doors that do not close tightly. If replacing your sliding door, select ENERGY STAR qualified doors instead of regular clear-glass double-paned doors. You can save on energy costs while improving your comfort, cutting drafts, and reducing fading of interior furnishings.

Home Sealing
Improve your home's 'envelope' to lower your energy bill and improve your comfort. Home sealing reduces uncomfortable drafts and helps avoid moisture problems through sealing holes, cracks, and gaps in the home.

Electrical Outlet
Seal any holes around your outlets with an inexpensive outlet gasket.