If anyone should know how to save energy, it would be the folks at electricity companies.  

Recently, PECO held competition for household ideas among employees. Phillies tickets were the prize.  Here are some of the tips they came up with:

Darlene Banks – When the grandchildren visit I put out a jug of ice water or juice. This prevents the fridge from being opened and closed all day with someone wanting a drink. This also saves the environment with me buying less bottled water and juice boxes.

Joe Bisti – Most automatic dishwashers have an automatic drying process that begins after the washing and rinsing is done. Turning the dishwasher off just before the drying process beings & allowing the dishes to air dry may cost a bit of extra time, but doesn't require extra pennies from your wallet on the side.

Sue Campbell – Clean refrigerator coils every three months to ensure maximum efficiency.

Jim Cooper – Use major appliances during off-peak periods to provide relief from the heavy summer electric load during peak hours.

Cheryl Dowd – Use the cruise control when driving the open highways. You car uses less gas by maintaining a steady speed.

Kathleen Duffy – We use room darkening shades and keep them down during the day on the sunny side of the house to keep out the heat and use less energy to cool our home.

Gerald Flynn – Before turning on the air conditioner, I open the ground floor windows, open the attic door and turn on the attic fan for half an hour. This draws the hot air up and out of house. I then close the windows and turn on the air conditioner and turn off the attic fan. This takes less energy to cool the house down.

Melanie Fratanduono – We have register boosters (small side-by-side fans the size of the register) on the highest floor in our house that force air down the return register to help make the rooms cooler.

John Hartenstein – Encourage children to turn off lights and keep doors closed by using a piggy bank or savings jar. Add a few coins each day when kids consistently turn off lights. Take a few coins out whenever lights are left on or doors left open.

Bernard Herron – I have a sump pump in the basement that runs about once an hour. I use the water that we pump out of the basement to water the garden.

James L. Johnson – Take the water from the dehumidifier in the morning and water the plants on the deck.

Jerry Natalini – When stove top cooking, use lids on pots to reduce heating time.

Jeffrey Stango – Caulking pipes and vents that go to the outside can reduce cold air and heat from escaping.

Robin L. White – We have installed motion sensored lights in rooms where we are forgetful about turning off the lights. The powder room, kitchen and basement stairwell have sensored lights that go off after three minutes without motion.