Building a Better Future

ENERGY STAR® is a program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed to help us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and programs. The Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes program is a regional initiative intended to promote the construction of energy efficient homes using the guidelines set forth by the EPA.

Homes that have earned the ENERGY STAR label are at least 15% more efficient than homes built to current state building codes. These homes improve the overall construction quality and provide homeowners with better built, more comfortable homes that can only be achieved through ENERGY STAR.

The Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes program is made possible by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), a private nonprofit organization funded by Northwest utilities, the Energy Trust of Oregon and the Bonneville Power Administration. NEEA works in collaboration with its stakeholders and strategic market partners to accelerate the sustained market adoption of energy efficient products, technologies and practices. NEEA's market transformation efforts address energy efficiency in homes, businesses and industry. Its mission is to: Mobilize the Northwest to become increasingly energy efficient for a sustainable future. View our partners here.

For more information on Northwest ENERGY STAR Homes, please call us at 800-539-9362 or email us at info@northwestenergystar.com.

 

Energy Tip #1

PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT

Install programmable ENERGY STAR qualified thermostats to reduce heating and cooling costs. In the winter, set the thermostat for a lower night time temperature; do the same when the house is unoccupied for several hours.

Energy Tip #2

DISHWASHER

Fill your dishwasher to capacity to maximize the energy used to run it.

Energy Tip #3

FREEZER

Your freezer works best when it is filled to capacity. If necessary, fill plastic containers with water, cover them and place them in your freezer.

Energy Tip #4

REFRIGERATOR

Keep your refrigerator out of direct sunlight. A 10-degree increase in temperature can result in 20 percent higher energy consumption.

Energy Tip #5

LANDSCAPING

Planting shade trees or using trellises to block sunlight can dramatically impact the amount of energy needed to cool your home. Most unwanted solar heat gain comes through the east and west windows, so plant deciduous trees on those two sides of the house. Shading your home with landscaping and window treatments can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 20º F.

Energy Tip #6

WASHER/DRYER


When washing and drying clothes, try drying one load of clothes after another – the heat from the first load helps dry the second one faster.

Energy Tip #7

HEATING & COOLING EQUIPMENT


Keep your heating and cooling systems tuned up. These systems require periodic maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Make sure filters are changed regularly as suggested by the manufacturer.

Energy Tip #8

CLOTHES WASHER

When washing and drying clothes, wash full loads of laundry – your machine will use the same amount of energy regardless of the load size.

Energy Tip #9

DISHWASHER

Stay away from the heat-dry, rinse-hold and pre-rinse features on your dishwasher and try the air-dry option instead.

Energy Tip #10

DISHWASHER

Don’t use the pre-rinsing feature when washing dishes – dishwashers today don’t require pre-rinsing to effectively clean dishes. By skipping this step, you'll save as much as 20 gallons per load, or 6,500 gallons per year.

Energy Tip #11

REFRIGERATOR

Try to minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator door by deciding what you want beforehand. Every time you open the door, you increase energy consumption by 10 percent.

Energy Tip #12

SHOWERHEADS

Install energy efficient showerheads and faucet aerators in your house to save both water and energy. Low-flow showerheads can reduce hot water use by half.

Energy Tip #13

CLOTHES WASHER

When washing and drying clothes, be sure to use the moisture sensor option on your dryer. It automatically shuts off the machine when your clothes are dry.

Energy Tip #14

WINDOWS

Clean south-facing windows and pull back curtains, drapes and blinds to allow maximum sunlight into the house during cold weather.

Energy Tip #15

CLOTHES WASHER

When washing and drying clothes, use cold water whenever possible - 90 percent of the energy used for washing clothes comes from heating the water.

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