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The Power of Energy Efficiency

(Photograph by Mark Gilliland/Pioneer utility resources)
Cut Your Utility Bills

January 3, 2022

Miranda Boutelle

Q: Do energy-saving measures in my home make a big difference? 

A: For the average household, it depends on your home’s efficiency and your habits. Your energy use is based on your home’s equipment and how you use it. 

You might already have an efficient home and good energy use habits, or you might have room for improvement. 

Energy keeps us comfortable in our homes. Our monthly bills are the associated costs for this energy use. To make energy-saving measures work in your home, it comes down to preventing energy waste while maintaining personal comfort. 

Let’s take it back to the basics and see if we can find opportunities to save energy in your home. Filters, LEDs and thermostat settings are great places to start.

Filters. If your home has a forced-air system, you have a filter. The filter needs to be checked regularly and replaced when it is dirty. A dirty filter can cause heating and air-conditioning systems to use 15% more energy, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Since heating and air conditioning make up almost half of your energy use, replacing your filter regularly or when it looks dirty is a habit that can reduce energy waste. 

LEDs. Upgrading your lighting to LEDs is a simple, low-cost way to cut energy use. Depending on your budget, you can do it all at once or change bulbs out over time. If you are going to replace a few at a time, prioritize the lights you use the most. 

There are many LED options available. One major variation is color temperature, which is listed on the packaging in Kelvin. I recommend 2,700K because it is similar to incandescent lighting. I also suggest Energy Star-rated products because they meet strict quality and efficiency standards, use up to 90% less energy and last 15 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. 

Setting your thermostat. It’s amazing how much difference a few degrees can make. By adjusting your thermostat to your home habits, you can save year-round on heating and cooling costs. 

For winter months, the DOE recommends setting your thermostat to 68 F when you are home and dialing it back
8 to 10 degrees when you leave the house or go to sleep. For summer, the recommendation is 78 degrees when you are home and 8 to 10 degrees warmer when you are away. 

Using a programmable or smart thermostat allows you to set the temperature according to your schedule. 

Making these small changes in your routine helps improve your energy efficiency while maintaining comfort in your home.

 

 

This content was originally created by Efficiency Services Group, LLC under contract with NRECA. NRECA retains ownership of this content. NRECA does not endorse Efficiency Services Group, its views herein expressed, nor any products or services it offers.

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Winner, 2015 George W. Haggard Memorial Journalism Award from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

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