Ten Energy Saving Tips for Energy Efficiency Day
September 30, 2019
October 2 marks the fourth annual Energy Efficiency Day, a collaborative effort between regional and national organizations, businesses, utilities, and individuals working to promote energy efficiency. In recognition of Energy Efficiency Day, Efficiency Smart offers the following ten tips to help you save energy and money during the colder months of the year.
- Light Your Home Efficiently: You can save $15 annually by replacing your most frequently used lightbulb with an ENERGY STAR® certified LED, or by just turning off one 60-watt incandescent lightbulb that would otherwise be left on for eight hours a day. The more incandescent lightbulbs you replace with LEDs, the more you can save.
- Keep Warm Air In: One of the best ways to save energy during the winter is to keep cold air out and keep warm air inside your home. Caulk around windows and door frames, use weather stripping on exterior doors, and have a professional seal gaps where air can travel between the attic and your living space.
- Set the Temperature: Set the temperature as low as comfortable when you are home. Consider installing an advanced thermostat to automatically lower your thermostat based on your occupancy and sleep schedule. If your home uses a heat pump, set the thermostat at a moderate temperature and leave it there. Heat pumps are most efficient at a consistent temperature.
- Limit the Use of Space Heaters: Reduce or eliminate the use of space heaters and electric resistance heating, as these are some of the least efficient ways to keep your home warm.
- Maintain Your HVAC System: Clean or change your furnace filters regularly. A dirty furnace filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep your home warm, which will cost you more money. If it’s been a few years since a technician last looked at your system, consider calling a professional to service or tune-up your unit to keep it running as efficiently as possible.
- Look for the Energy Star® label: Available across more than 70 product categories, the ENERGY STAR label makes it easy to find products that have been independently certified to use less energy. Save even more with Efficiency Smart’s rebates.
- Take Advantage of the Sun: Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. Close the curtains at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
- Reduce Hot Water Use: Water heating accounts for a significant portion of your home’s energy bill. Installing low-flow showerheads and washing your clothes in cold water can help you reduce your hot water use. If your water heater’s thermostat lists temperatures, set its temperature between 120 and 125 degrees for safety and efficiency.
- Use a Smart Power Strip: Many electronics continue to use power, even when they are turned off. Plug electronics such as your television, video game systems, and desktop computers into a smart power strip. Smart power strips turn off devices that are plugged into them when they are not in use and help save you energy.
- Ask for Advice: Efficiency Smart’s free Electric Bill Advice program can help customers of participating municipal electric systems learn more about their electric use and the steps they can take to reduce it. Visit www.efficiencysmart.org or call 877-889-3777 to learn more.
Efficiency Smart offers business and residential energy efficiency services to customers of participating municipal electric systems. More information about the services and financial incentives available through Efficiency Smart can be found at www.efficiencysmart.org or by calling 877-889-3777.
To learn more about Energy Efficiency Day, visit www.energyefficiencyday.org