Energy Efficiency Service
From Energy
Change your light bulbs: Replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy and last about 10 times longer. A CFL used 4 hours every day, will save you $7 per year compared to a standard incandescent bulb. Our free light bulb exchange is back. Bring up to 16 incandescent bulbs to our Conservation and Environmental Center to exchange for CFLs. Discounts for CFLs are also available at certain retail outlets.
Caulk, Seal and Insulate
- A few inexpensive tubes of caulk for your windows and rolls of weather-stripping for your doors can help reduce heating bills by 20 percent.
- If you have a window air conditioning unit, purchase an A/C winterizing cover – a thermal cover for the outside of the unit. Bring your unit dimensions to the store, as there are different sizes available. If there are any cracks in your wood wedge, fill the spaces with caulking spray or spray foam. The minimally expanding latex style works best for this use.
- According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose up to 60 percent of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if ductwork is not well-connected and insulated. Duct sealing rebates are available.
- Make sure there is adequate insulation in your attic, walls, basement, crawl spaces, and floors. Upgrading just your attic insulation from 3 inches to 12 inches can cut heating costs by 20-25 percent. Review insulation rebate eligibility requirements.
- Set your water heater no higher than 120°F (this is also a good safety measure). Add an insulation blanket and save up to 9 percent in water heating costs.
- Install foam gaskets behind electrical outlet and switch covers.
- Insulate your water pipes. You'll get hot water faster plus avoid wasting water while it heats up.
- Enjoy 10 percent energy savings through energy efficient windows. Increase your savings with our window rebate.
- Installing storm windows can help provide additional insulation, reduce energy costs and reduce exterior noise.
- Switch out summer screens with glass replacements.
- For a few dollars, seal drafty windows with window plastic that can be found at your local hardware store.
Get your Furnace Inspected
- For each 1 percent improvement on the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) of a new furnace, you can expect a 1 percent reduction on heating expenses.
- Considering a new furnace? Review furnace rebate eligibility requirements.
- Get a yearly furnace 'tune-up'. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.
- Replace or clean your furnace filter once a month. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand.
Don’t forget about your Fireplace
- Inspect the fireplace damper for proper opening and closing.
- Close fireplace dampers and doors when not in use and keep out the cold air.
- Have the chimney flue cleaned annually. Install glass doors to reduce indoor air that you paid to heat from going up the chimney.
- Consider a chimney balloon – an inflatable heavy plastic gauge balloon that can effectively seal unused chimney chases.
Monitor your Thermostat
- Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower during the day
- Use a programmable thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature when you are away
- Before you increase the temperature, put on a sweater and add 2-4 degrees of warmth.
- The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that for every degree you turn down your thermostat for an eight-hour period in the winter, you can expect a correlating percentage of energy savings.
- Keep shades and curtains open during the day on the south side of your home to allow solar heating. Close them at night to retain heat.
Check your Appliances (See the list of all available appliance rebates)
- Appliances and electronics make up about 20 percent of a typical household’s energy costs.
- Try to wash (use cold water setting) and dry clothes, use dishwasher, iron and cook in the morning or after 8 p.m. when the demand for electricity is lower.
- Use a microwave oven, toaster oven, grill or slow-cooker to cook smaller meals.
- For leftovers, a stove will consume 30 times more energy to heat than the same food in a microwave.
- Keep the burners and reflectors on your oven clean so that they will reflect heat better and use energy more efficiently.
- Unplug and recycle that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don't truly need it. Do you really need to keep those extra drinks cold for an additional 10-25 percent on your electric bill?
- Keep the refrigerator stocked – it takes more energy to cool an empty fridge.
- Check the gasket, or seal, in your refrigerator door to make sure it fits properly. A loose gasket will cause cold air to leak out of your refrigerator.
- Refrigerators use more energy than any appliance in your home. Vacuum refrigerator coils at least twice a year.
Beware of Phantom Load coming from your Electronics
- Electronics, TVs, computers…these items often use 50 percent of their “on” power usage when turned off or on standby.
- Electronics account for 8.1 percent of a home’s energy use. Plug items into a “smart” power strip to save money. Plus you can turn off your electronics with one switch.
- When you shut down your computer, don’t forget to turn off the monitor - it can use twice as much energy as the computer.
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