Little bits of energy waste add up, so making sure all the systems in your home are working at peak efficiency matters:
- Set your water heater temperature at 120°F, which is hot enough for comfortable showers without wasting energy. Most water heaters nowadays come pre-set to 120 degrees. If yours is 7-10 years or older, you probably will need to make sure it’s set to 120
- Energy-efficient LED lighting uses far less energy and lasts longer than conventional incandescent bulbs, and anymore, LED bulbs are about as inexpensive as incandescent.
- For convenience, use a programmable thermostat to set home temperatures forward or back while you're asleep or away to save up to 10% on your heating and cooling costs. But remember, for energy savings, you must set-back your thermostat.
- Electronics continue to use energy even when they're fully charged or turned off. These energy users are called phantom load, or vampire load. Use advanced power strips to stop these vampire loads from feasting on your electricity.
- Purchase ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances and electronics to save on energy and water use.
- Seal cracks and gaps around your home with caulk or expanding foam. This acts as a windbreaker for your home, helping the insulation work up to its full potential.
- Check insulation levels; make sure they're up to at least minimum recommendations. If you are not sure of what the standards are, simply contact me, and I can help.
- Ductwork exposed in unconditioned spaces, like attics, should also be air-sealed and insulated. This will keep you from heating and cooling the great outdoors.
You can find more tips and ways to save by visiting our website and clicking on the My Energy Tab.
You can also set up an appointment for your energy advisor to do a free in-home walk-thru energy audit. The audit is useful to identify areas of potential savings and to improve a home's energy efficiency. To help you better understand where you are using energy, daily and hourly data is analyzed to help troubleshoot high-use issues. Members can also access usage information by creating a SmartHub account.
Give us a call at 1-800-686-2357 or contact us to request a walk-thru energy audit.
Smart energy savings around your home really do add up to making your home more comfortable and efficient.
