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Energy Saving Tips for Energy Efficiency Day

October 2, 2020

Wednesday, October 7 marks the fifth annual national 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 energy saving tips to save energy and money at home:

  • Light Your Home Efficiently: Spending more time at home means keeping lights on longer, which can increase your electric costs. Replacing your most frequently used lightbulbs with ENERGY STAR® certified LEDs can save you $15 annually per lightbulb.
  • Keep Warm Air In: Now is a great time to get your home ready for the upcoming winter season.  Caulk around windows and door frames, use weather stripping on exterior doors, and consider having a professional seal gaps where air can travel between the attic and your living space. This will help you save on heating costs and make you feel more comfortable during the cold winter months. 
  • Check Temperature Settings: Set the temperature as low as is comfortable when you are home to save on heating costs. 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 electric space heaters, as they are one of the least efficient ways to heat your home. Electric space heaters are less efficient than HVAC systems, and only heat a small portion of a home. If you are using a space heater, make sure it is designed to heat the size of room it’s used in, and look for one with thermostat and timer settings to save energy and prevent overheating.
  • 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 has 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 on eligible products.
  • 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 typically accounts for the largest portion of a home’s utility costs after heating and cooling. 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 the temperature between 120 and 125 degrees for safety and efficiency.
  • Use a Smart Power Strip: Many electronics continue to use power when they are turned off. Plug electronics such as your television, video game systems, and computers into a smart power strip. They can detect when a device is in standby mode and cut off power to prevent wasting energy.

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