Energy Savings

It's your DISHWASHER.

Why? Because your dishwasher heats water to clean your dishes, and any kind of appliance that heats tends to use more energy that those that do not, like your fridge.

For more personalized tips, check out My Energy Tools.

Set your thermostat as high as is comfortable while you're home and awake, and keep it warmer than normal when you are away. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your cooling bill will be!

• If you’re on a time-based plan, you can take advantage of lower off-peak prices by adjusting your thermostat and pre-cooling your home.
• Three hours before peak hours begin, schedule your thermostat to three degrees below your preferred temperature. For example, according to EPA recommendations, if your usual temperature is 73, turn it to 70.
• When peak hours begin, adjust your thermostat to three degrees above your preferred temperature (such as 76) to keep the unit from running too much.
• When peak hours end, schedule your thermostat back to your preferred setting. 

Do you own a smart thermostat, or are you interested in one? Evergy's Thermostat Program makes it easy for you to schedule your temperature while you’re out and about.

Turn the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F) to save energy. This video will show you how.

You can also save energy by taking showers instead of baths, as a shower could use 20 gallons of hot water in 10 minutes, versus approximately 70 gallons needed to fill some bathtubs. 

Block the heat by keeping blinds or drapes closed on a sunny day; as the day progresses, adjust your blinds as the sun moves from one side of your home to the other.

Shade windows or apply reflective window film to windows that fast south or west, as they let in the most heat.

LEDs emit little heat and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, which release 90% of their energy as heat. LEDs come in various color temperatures, including warm light—even holiday lights!

True! Your thermostat can sense heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.

• Wait to run your dishwasher until it’s full.
• Set your refrigerator temperature between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at 0, and make sure both are sealed tightly.
• Set your washing machine to the appropriate water level and wash all but the dirtiest of loads in cold water.
• When using your clothes dryer, make sure to clean the lint filter after each use and use the auto-dry or moisture-sensor setting.

Look for a switch on the motor housing (the cylindrical area below the fan blades) or refer to your ceiling fan manual to switch the rotation.

• In the summer, fans should rotate counterclockwise to lift warm air up and out of the room.
• In the winter, fans should rotate clockwise to push the rising warm air back down into the room.

If you want to save a little extra, make sure to turn off your ceiling fans when you leave the room—fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.

Need more cooling than a fan can provide? Evergy’s AC rebate can help you save up to $1,000 on a new energy-efficient system.

Help keep your cooling system running efficiently, clean out leaves, dirt and debris from your outdoor air conditioner when needed.

Regular maintenance can add years to your AC unit's lifespan. An AC professional will:

• Check and clean the condenser coil
• Inspect blower motor and fan blades
• Check refrigerant levels
• Lubricate moving parts

Is it time to replace your unit? Upgrade your HVAC unit with Evergy's AC rebate—you could save up to $1,000 on a new energy-efficient system.

• Keep the fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning, otherwise, warm air will escape through the chimney. 
• Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible.
• Add caulking around the fireplace hearth.
• Plug and seal the chimney flue if you never use your fireplace.

True! Washing on cold saves up to 50 cents per load and cleans just as well as warm or hot water.

The hot cycle should only be used on the dirtiest of loads, and washing your clothes less often can also impact your energy bill.

Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable while you're home and awake. By keeping your heat off or low when you're asleep or out of the house, you may be able to save up to 10% per year on your heating bills.

• If you’re on a time-based plan, you can take advantage of lower off-peak prices by adjusting your thermostat and pre-heating your home.
• Three hours before peak hours begin, schedule your thermostat to three degrees above your preferred temperature. For example, according to EPA recommendations, if your usual temperature is 70, turn it to 73.
• When peak hours begin, adjust your thermostat to three degrees below your preferred temperature (such as 67) to keep the unit from running too much.
• When peak hours end, schedule your thermostat back to your preferred setting. 

Do you own a smart thermostat, or are you interested in one? Evergy's Thermostat Program makes it easy for you to schedule your temperature while you’re out and about.

Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows to keep the hot air outside in the summer and inside in the winter. Caulk is best for sealing air leaks through cracks or gaps throughout the home, like door and window frames. Weatherstripping is used to seal components that move, such as doors and operable windows.

Check out the selection of sealing and weatherization products on the Evergy Marketplace!

South-facing windows let in a lot of light. By opening the curtains during the day, you allow sunlight to heat the home, but make sure you close them at night to lessen the chill from cold windows. Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty, and tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the winter. To minimize the cold from getting inside, make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame.