Lighting

• Turn off unnecessary lights in common areas and reduce light levels as appropriate.
• Keep light fixtures clean and dust free to maintain optimum light output.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent lights.
• Upgrade old T12 fluorescent fixtures to high-performance T8 fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts.
• Install timers on bathroom heat lamps and ventilation fans.
• Learn more about lighting.

Water heating
Water heating eats up a lot of energy, so using less hot water is a sure way to save energy. This helps control energy bills as well as water and sewer charges — most likely one of your biggest expenses.

• Install high-performance, water-saving (2.5 gpm) showerheads and faucets.
• Repair water leaks promptly.
• Insulate hot water lines where accessible.
• Consider wraping older hot water heaters to reduce heat loss.

Set hot water heaters to 120 degrees unless they serve older dishwashers that need 140 degree water. Turn water heaters even lower when an apartment is vacant for a week or more (allow several hours for reheating).

If a water heater shows signs of corrosion or leakage, you may wish to replace it with a high-efficiency water heater. To minimize maintenance and replacement costs, choose models that have a 10-year warranty or longer. Size properly; excess capacity wastes energy. Consider choosing a 30 to 40-gallon unit for a one-bedroom apartment and a 40 to 50 gallon for a two-bedroom unit.

Learn more about water efficiency.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
In buildings with central heating/cooling/ventilation (HVAC) systems, set up a maintenance plan with your contractor to ensure it is serviced twice a year, including filters, belts, motors, compressors and controls.

Check HVAC filters regularly between service calls and clean or replace them when dirty.

Use a programmable thermostat for common areas to set back or turn off at night or when unoccupied. Keep the temperature at 68 degrees for heating and 75 degrees for air conditioning.

Install programmable thermostats in tenant units and set the program for them. When doing a regular inspection, make sure it is programmed correctly.

Seal air leaks: add weatherstripping around doors, caulk around window frames and points where plumbing pipes exit through the wall, and add gaskets behind outlet covers and switch plates.

Install awnings, window shades or window film to reduce solar gain and the need for cooling.

Plant deciduous trees, especially on the south and west side of your building, to help keep it cooler in summer.

If tenants opt to install window air conditioners, offer guidance on choosing the proper size. Also encourage them to look for ENERGY STAR® qualified models that have an energy-efficiency ratio of 10.0 or higher.

Learn more about heating and cooling.

Learn more about windows and insulation.

Pools and spas

• Cover swimming pools and spas when not in use.
• Check and clean pump and jet filters according to manufacturers’ recommendations.
• Ask tenants to shower before using the spa to reduce chemical usage and save energy with less flushing and refilling.
• Turn off jet pumps and lights when the spa is covered.

Appliances
When it’s time to replace appliances, choose ENERGY STAR® qualified washers, refrigerators and other appliances. And consider high-efficiency front-load clothes washers; they help save energy and water.

It pays to replace (and recycle) any refrigerator at least 15 years old; federal energy-efficiency standards make new models much more efficient.

How PGE can help
Check out the PGE class schedule to take advantage of a variety of courses to enhance business practices and get expert advice on how to save energy and money.

Contact the PGE Business Services team to arrange for a free PGE energy-efficiency consultation. This process can often be quickly accomplished over the phone. We can also provide a third-party technical review of improvements you are considering.

Use PGE’s energy monitoring services to track your energy use and bills for a clear picture of where your dollars are going and where you can save. This includes monthly, daily and customer reporting options that help you pinpoint problems and identify key opportunities for improving energy-efficiency.

For outdoor lighting, use photosensors or timers and switch to high-pressure sodium, pulse-start metal halide or induction (QL) lamps. PGE lighting services offers many options.