Turning off lights and appliances when not in use saves energy

Closing curtains and shades during the summer helps keep your home cooler.

The fireplace damper and doors should be closed when not in use. It prevents warmed or cooled air from easily escaping the house.

Lowering the water-heater temperature to the lowest comfortable setting saves money.

You can save water when washing smaller loads by selecting the setting for the corresponding water level.

When warm enough, you can save ~50 cents/load by hanging your laundry on a clothesline. Clotheslines are allowed everywhere in Fort Collins.

To keep your dryer working at its best, make sure its vent pipe is not kinked or blocked.

Using a microwave oven for warming, reheating or cooking food uses less energy than an electric oven.

Ensuring the air flow around your refrigerator is not obstructed helps your fridge run more efficiently. 

Setting your refrigerator to recommended 38-40 degrees Fahrenheit and freezer to 0 degrees Fahrenheit helps save energy.

Changing your hot tub setting to "economy mode" can save energy and money. 

Epic Homes offers $60 home energy assessments that can find ways to reduce utility costs and increase comfort.

A new washing machine can save you money. It can also save your clothes. Click here for the whole story.

Checking and sealing leaks in attics, basements and crawl spaces can improve your home's performance.

Permanent "duct mastic" material – not duct tape – should be used for sealing attic ductwork and crawl spaces.

Closing crawl space vents and covering the crawl space floor with at least 6 millimeters of plastic can reduce soil moisture.

LED light bulbs use 75% less electricity than traditional incandescent light bulbs.

Using power strips to turn off selected appliances when not in use helps reduce energy use.

Rebates are available to insulate attics, exterior walls and crawl space walls, improving your home's comfort.

Financing home energy upgrades and solar is now easier than ever with the Epic Loan.

Replacing older water heaters, air conditioners, furnaces and boilers with efficient ENERGY STAR® models can save energy and increase home comfort.

Replacing old windows with double-pane, low-e windows, can bring down your Utilities bill.

You can save water by partially fill the sink with warm water to rinse the razor blade when shaving.

Turning off the faucet while shaving or brushing teeth saves water.

Only pee, poo and toilet paper should be flushed. Everything else should be thrown in the trash.

Running the dishwasher only when it's full can save water and money. Do small loads by hand.

Scraping your dishes clean instead of rinsing them before putting them in the dishwasher saves water. 

You can save water when washing fruits or vegetables by filling the sink with water instead of running the faucet.

Pretreating clothing stains may avoid the need to rewash.

You can save water by installing WaterSense showerheads.

Replacing kitchen and bathroom faucet aerators with WaterSense-labeled models can help save water.

Finding and repairing dripping faucets and leaking toilets saves water and money.

Rebates are available for 1.1 gallons per flush, WaterSense-labeled toilets.

Taking advantage of daylight from windows and skylights can save energy.

Turning off printers, copiers, coffee machines and other equipment at end of day saves energy.

Activating sleep mode on computers (see ENERGY STAR® for details) uses less energy without sacrificing quality or performance.

Benchmarking your energy use compared to other similar businesses can help you identify and prioritize future building improvements 

Information about business-related programs and rebates regularly goes out in the Keep Current e-newsletter.

Timers or sensors can help save money on outdoor lighting.

Using an ENERGY STAR® programmable thermostat or wifi thermostat can help you better control your home's comfort and utility costs.

Ensuring programmable thermostats are programmed correctly can save energy and costs. 

Installing occupancy sensors where lights frequently are left on when no one is present can help save money and energy.

Installing an insulation blanket on your water heater helps it perform more efficiently.

Insulating hot water pipes leading from the water heater helps keep your hot water from cooling off before it gets to the tap.

Insulating and air sealing the walls and roof keeps heat and/or cool air inside your home.

Planting trees on east, southeast, southwest and west exposures reduce solar heat gain and reduce glare through windows.

Purchasing ENERGY STAR® appliances when replacing old ones helps you save energy and money without sacrificing performance.

Completing a building tune-up (retro-commissioning) ensures existing systems perform as designed.

Installing ENERGY STAR® roofing material with high reflectance can reduce cooling load.

Installing cooking vent hood controls with VFD fans and sensors (rebates available) at your business can help save energy and money.

Installing high-efficiency refrigeration equipment at your business, such as zero-energy doors and anti-sweat heater controls (rebates available), can save money.

Rebates are available to install interior and exterior lighting controls at your business.

Lowering the thermostat temperature on winter nights and when no one is home can save money and energy.

Wearing an extra layer of clothing during the winter and lowering the thermostat a few degrees can help save money and energy.

Opening curtains and shades during the winter can help the sun warm your home.

Ensuring heating registers aren't blocked by furniture, carpet, drapes can help your heating system perform better.

Opening windows on summer evenings brings in cool outdoor air.

Closing windows during summer days keeps cool air inside (while your AC is running).

Setting your air conditioner's temperature higher and using portable fans or ceiling fans helps keep your house cool while saving energy.

Maintaining your heating equipment ensures it is running efficiently. 

Maintaining your cooling equipment ensures it is running efficiently. 

Installing plastic covers over single-pane windows during the winter can help your home perform better. 

Planting fast-growing vines is a quick way to block unwanted summer sun. You'll get results in months.

Planting shade trees to block unwanted summer sun is a good, long-term approach if you plan to be in your home for many years. 

Fertilizer encourages grass to grow, requiring more water. Use it lightly.

Watering only when grass turns a dull, grey-green color and footprints remain helps save water and money. 

Bluegrass lawns generally require 1" or more of water per week, depending on the weather.

Shrubs and trees require less water than bluegrass, so it's best to water them separately.

Watering every third day helps the grass develop deeper roots and use moisture deep in the ground.

Watering in the early morning or late evening when there's less wind reduces water loss.

Free sprinkler checkups are available to find ways to save water and improve system efficiency. 

Mowing when it's cool reduces stress on the grass.

Mowing with a dull blade tears grass and stresses the lawn. Always be sure to mow with a sharp mower blade.

Mowing bluegrass 2.5"-3" tall will promote deeper rooting and shade the plant's root zone. Never cut more than 1/3 of the leaf blade.

Leaving grass clippings where they fall adds nutrients to the soil. A mulching mower chops grass into small pieces.

Xeriscape is a healthy, attractive landscape that conserves water.

Fats, oils and grease can clog the pipes in your home and the City’s wastewater system. Don’t put them down the drain. Toss them instead.

It is recommended that you aerate your lawn once a year.

Replacing some bluegrass with low water-using planting beds can save water and money.

Using low water-using plants that provide seasonal colors and textures for year-round beauty can help save on irrigation costs.

You can receive a rebate for purchasing a rain sensor.

Utilities offers incentives on ENERGY STAR®-certified clothes washers. 

You can clean up your utility bill and save even more money with rebates when you buy an ENERGY STAR® certified washing machine.

Washing machines are most efficient when fully loaded.

Cleaning your dryer filter regularly prevents lint build ups that can reduce airflow resulting in clothes not drying completely.

Ensuring the dryer vent pipe is not kinked or blocked helps your dryer run more efficiently. 

Even small projects like planting a shrub require you to plan before digging. Know what’s below. Call 811 before you dig.

Fort Collins Utilities is a community-owned utility that manages four essential services – Light & Power, Water, Wastewater and Stormwater.

The Transformer Cabinet Murals program works with local artists and non-profit groups to paint bright, colorful murals on cabinets.

Fort Collins Utilities monitors water quality in our water sources, treated drinking water and treated water returned to the environment.

The watersheds where our water comes from drain snowmelt and rainfall to the Cache la Poudre and Big Thompson rivers and Horsetooth Reservoir.

Algal blooms appear in waterbodies under certain environmental conditions. Mid-summer through early fall is when they most commonly occur.

Visual indicators of algal blooms in waterbodies often include: surface scum, foam, floating algae mats, off-colors and/or the presence of dead fish.

You can prevent clogs and expensive repairs by only flushing the three Ps: pee, poo and toilet paper.

Pouring cooled fats, oils and grease (FOG) into a sealable container and putting it in the trash or taking used oil to a recycling center can help prevent costly sewer backups.

Sink strainers can catch food waste to prevent expensive clogs and pipe backups.

You have the power to cut your energy bill any time of year.

Stormwater Master Planning helps protect people, property and the environment against flooding, erosion and water quality problems caused by runoff.

There are 13 stormwater basins within the City of Fort Collins Growth Management Area, each with their own master plan.

You can sign up for LETA911 to receive local emergency alerts.

There are more than 500 miles of water mains throughout Fort Collins.

Fort Collins Utilities is committed to quality. See our annual Water Quality Report.

We continually work to improve our infrastructure and distribution systems. See what’s in the works.

It only takes 12 inches of flowing water to carry off small vehicles. Don’t drive through flood water.

We operate a flood warning system that monitors real-time rainfall information.

It’s important to know your flood risk and be ready.

Stormwater pollution is the number one cause of water pollution in the country, and you can help prevent it.

When it rains, pollutants go down storm drains, contaminating our water bodies. Small leaks and drips add up. Don’t drip and drive.

There is no poop fairy. Pick up after your pet to help prevent stormwater pollution.

There are many scams that try to trick people into allowing scammers inside their home or business. Be scam aware.

You can monitor your energy and water use with our online portals.

There are many ways to pay your bill, including online, in-person and by phone.

You can make moving easier by starting or stopping your service online.

We offer several residential and commercial programs to help you save energy, water and money.

The Efficiency Works store sells water- and energy-saving products, including LED lighting, smart thermostats and showerheads.

Sprinkler systems can be designed, installed and operated with water-efficiency in mind.

Fort Collins Utilities is community-owned. Because of that, our customers benefit from lower rates and revenues that stay here.

Fort Collins Utilities is committed to providing ‘round-the-clock, world-class service to our community. We operate 24/7/365.

To keep high-efficiency toilets and sinks performing well, remember to only flush the three Ps and throw FOG in the trash.

We clean and maintain the City's wastewater system year-round to prevent sewer backups. You can help by only flushing the three Ps.

After a rain, skipping watering until the grass dries will save not only water, but also money. 

You can reduce ‘vampire’ power waste by unplugging electronics that are not in use or plugging them into a smart power strip.

Choosing fans before air conditioning, especially during on-peak hours, can save money.

Pre-cooling your home before 2 p.m. during the summer and coasting through the on-peak hours can save money on your utility bill.

Every 2 degrees higher you set your air conditioner can save up to 14% on cooling costs.

You can save up to 10% on heating bills by using a programmable or smart thermostat to minimize heating when away from home or asleep.

Pre-heating your home before 5 p.m. in the winter and coasting through the on-peak hours can save money on your utility bill.

You can enroll your electric water heater in Peak Partners and automatically shift when your water is heated.

You can save approximately 50¢ per load by drying your laundry during off-peak hours. 

Off-peak Time-of-Day prices are approximately 70% less than on-peak prices.

You can save money by shifting your electric use to the lower-priced, off-peak hours or by reducing your overall use.

Home office and overall electronics typically use very little electricity (1 cent or less per hour on average).

Oil and other toxic vehicle fluids end up in puddles where our kids and pets like to play. Don't drip and drive.

When it rains and as snow melts, runoff carries pollutants such as oil, antifreeze and gas down storm drains, contaminating our rivers, streams and lakes. Don't drip and drive.

Small leaks and drips add up. Don't drip and drive.

Water that goes down storm drains is not treated before it goes back to the Poudre. You can help protect our waterways for future generations. 

Customers experience some of the best reliability in the country with the average household being without power for less than 20 minutes per year – that means service is available 99.99% of the time!

In warm seasons at night (when temperatures are cooler), open windows when you feel comfortable doing so (i.e. in calm weather condition, with a window stopper in place, during clean air days, etc).