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October is National Energy Awareness Month. Help us celebrate by promoting Energy Efficiency Day (October 5) and especially implementing some of these energy saving tips within your home. Doing these things will not impact your lifestyle, only your energy bill. If we all participate, it will dramatically save energy resources for future generations.

Promote Energy Efficiency Day 2018

How you can take part in Energy Efficiency Day 2018! #EEDay2018:

 

Implementing Energy Saving Tips

1. Thermostat

Do you have a smart thermostat? If you do, you’re fully aware that you can use apps on your phone to adjust the temperature when you aren’t at home. Some electric companies even offer rebates for the purchase of an ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, you can still be smart about your homes temperature! In the winter, lower your thermostat to 68 degrees. This will still be a comfortable temperature to relax and unwind after a long day at school or work.

2. Air leaks

Is there a draft at your window or door? Now is the time to winterize your home. Place the glass panes in your storm doors, caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows, and seal any leaks around your fireplace chimney and furnaces. Many electric companies provide energy audits of your home in case of otherwise undetected leaks. Make sure your home is air tight to keep warm air inside in the winter, and then cool air inside in the summer. For more information, you can check out the following website to help you find air leaks in your home https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/weatherize/air-sealing-your-home/detecting-air-leaks.

3. Lighting

Days are getting shorter, nights are getting longer. That means we’re going to be using our lights a lot more often! If you haven’t already done so, replace your standard incandescent bulbs or CFL bulbs with LED bulbs. October is the month to buy, as many stores offer discounts for National Energy Awareness Month in partnership with your local utility. LED bulbs use 80% less electricity, and can save your family over $4 per year per bulb replaced.

Keeping curtains open to allow for natural light as long as possible during the day is helpful to keep those electric bills down.

4. Electronics

Are you still using a normal power strip at your entertainment center and computer? Or no power strip at all? The easiest and most cost effective item you can install in your home is an advanced power strip. You can even purchase one with a motion sensor, allowing no activity in the room to turn off your electronics for you! They’re simple to use. Every advanced power strip will come with instructions, but here’s how it would work at an entertainment center:

     -Plug the TV into the control outlet (sometimes labeled TV)
     -Plug your DVR or cable box into the always on
     -Plug any gaming systems or DVD/Blu ray players, which are only used when the TV is on, into the switched outlet

Voila! You’re done! Now, when your television is shut off, you can rest assured that the electricity normally flowing to those electronics (called phantom loads) is no longer powering devices turned off or in standby mode. Easy as flipping that little red switch on a regular power strip, without having to remember to do so!

Save Even More Energy

You’re on a roll! You’re ready to save more energy in your homes. How can you do that? Here are a few more tips:

5. Clean and replace furnace filters regularly
6. Avoid opening the oven door when baking
7. Remember to vacuum the condenser coils on the back of your refrigerator
8. Run the dishwasher and clothes washer ONLY when full
9. The national average for a shower is 8 minutes, reducing shower time will save water and electricity
10. Turn the lights off when you leave a room
11. Lower your water heater to 120 degrees
12. Use cold water to wash clothes
13. Have a gas stove? Make sure the burners are clean for most efficient use
14. Place your refrigerator away from direct sunlight if possible
15. Have an outdoor light? Consider installing one with automatic shut-off for daylight

Throughout these tips we’ve discussed just a few energy efficient devices (devices that save energy for you!). Can you name them all? HINT: There are four. Installing these devices is a great way to participate in Energy Efficiency Day! What are other ways you can participate? What are some fun ways to invite friends and family to participate in Energy Efficiency Day?