Energy & Water Conservation :


Energy Conservation
Water Conservation

 

 


Energy Conservation


Cold Weather
As the weather turns colder, Rock Hill Utilities wants to help you keep your utility bills from giving you a chill. Here are some tips to warm your wallet:

  • Insulation, caulking and weatherstripping can cut heating costs up to 35%.
  • Reduce hot water temperature to 120 degrees. Wrap your electric water heater with an insulated blanket and save up to 10%.
  • Turn off lights and televisions in empty rooms.
  • Set thermostat at 68. If you wear heavier clothing while you’re at home (sweat pants, long sleeves, socks), you’ll keep warm and you won’t have to turn up the thermostat.
  • Don’t block vents or radiators.
  • Close off unused rooms.
  • Open curtains on sunny days to let the heat in.
  • Use fluorescent light bulbs - they use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer.

 

Warm Weather
Rock Hill Utilities has some helpful tips to keep you cool indoors during the warm weather season without costing you extra dollars:

  • To save on energy use, set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible (72-78 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Use ceiling and stand-alone fans for cooling and air circulation.
  • Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
  • Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units - but do not block the system’s airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.
  • Check your home’s air duct system for leaks. Use UL rated duct tape to repair and seal duct holes and tears. 

 

Water Conservation (back to top)
In the Home
Be Water Wise! Faucet Facts to Save Money...

Look at the water you can save at home in just one week by practicing water conservation...and, remember, this translates into dollar savings too!

  • Don’t run the water while you wash dishes...this wastes over 30 gallons per washing, which could add up to more than 300 gallons a week.
  • Make sure that you turn off all faucets tightly...a slow dripping faucet can waste more than 60 gallons per week.
  • Don’t take long baths or showers...speed it up and you can save 175 gallons of water per week.
  • One washing machine load uses 25-40 gallons of water. One dish washer load uses 12 gallons of water. Wash full loads of clothes and dishes and you can save up to 300 gallons per week.
  • Don’t run the water while you brush your teeth...this wastes up to 70 gallons per week.
  • Repair leaky faucets, pipes and toilets.

 

Remember that your sewer bill is based on your water consumption, so by saving water, you’re also saving on sewer charges. By following these conservation steps, you can save nearly 4,000 gallons of water a month, which could save you more than $12 on your total utility bill. 

 

In the Yard
People use more water during the Summer, to beat the heat and to keep their lawns and gardens looking beautiful. Since the demand for water grows in hot weather, it's the most important time to practice water conservation.

Remember these tips to help save water and lower your utility bill: Water your lawn when the sun is down and not on days that are windy.

  • Remember to turn off your outside taps after you’ve watered the lawn.
  • Plant flowers, shrubs and trees that need less water.

 

Visit the H2Ouse for a variety of helpful resources and ideas to conserve water and save money at your home, including:

 

  • The Home Tour allows you to investigate water savings in each area of your home.
  • The top 5 actions that offer the best water savings.
  • The Water Budget Calculator helps you find out how much water you use inside and outside your home.
  • The Garden Guide gives you great ideas on designing beautiful, water-saving gardens and landscaping.

Visit the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense site for information about water-efficiency and tips targeted specifically for Consumers, Businesses, Utilities and communities.

 

 

For more tips on water conservation, review the City's Water Conservation & Demand Management Plan.  (61KB)

 

For more information on ways to conserve,  visit  ENERGY DEPOT to reference an extensive library of energy saving information or H20 House for water saving tips!