Energy Savings Tips - Spring Edition
With the warmer weather on the horizon, spring is the perfect time to incorporate energy saving tips into your life. Find free, simple, and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the spring, leading into summer below.
Energy Savings Tips
Lighting Tips
One of the easiest ways to reduce your energy costs is to replace standard incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. They last up to 15 years and reduce the energy usage by 90 percent. This is mostly due to the fact that they don’t generate heat the same way as incandescent bulbs do, which also help you save on cooling as the weather warms up.
Here are some simple lighting tips for you and your family to follow this Spring:
- Keep your curtains or shades open to use daylight instead of turning on lights. For more privacy, use light-colored, loose-weave curtains to allow daylight into the room. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight.
- Turn off lights when they are not needed (when you are not at home, when no one is using a particular room, and when you already have enough light).
- Use timers or dimmers. Timers save electricity by turning lights off when not in use. Dimmers save electricity when used to lower light levels. Be sure to select products that are compatible with the energy-efficient bulbs you want to use.
Air Conditioning Tune Up
Consider turning your air conditioner on for a test run so if there are any malfunctions you can quickly address them. You should also consider having a contractor perform a tune up to assure your unit is running at peak efficiency. Annual maintenance in the springtime can help prepare your unit for optimal performance and avoid unexpected breakdowns during those first hot summer days.
Lower Energy Costs with Home Performance
An energy audit can identify many ways to save energy in your home. BPI GoldStar contractors can perform an audit of your home, and recommend actions that will lower your energy costs year after year. Contact your gas or electric utility to learn more.
Did you know?
High utility bills in summer can often be traced to air leaks in your home's envelope or inefficient, incorrectly installed heating and cooling equipment, or poorly sealed and insulated ducts. By taking the time to weatherize your home, you can save yourself on your upcoming cooling bill! An energy audit will help you pinpoint these items.
Make it a Full Load
The average washing machine uses 20-40 gallons of water per load. If you buy a new washer, shop for a high-efficiency washer that needs less than 15 gallons of water per load. To achieve even greater savings, wash in cold water, and only full loads of laundry or be sure to choose the appropriate load size on the washing machine.
Rebates and Promotions
Rebates may be available from your gas or electric utility. Contact your gas or electric utility to learn more.
Refrigerator or Freezer Recycling
It's time for spring cleaning! Do you have a second refrigerator or freezer in the garage or basement? Or, are you buying a new one and need to get rid of the old one? Consider this: New Jersey's Clean Energy Program will come to your home, pick up the unit, recycle it in an environmentally responsible manner, AND you get a check for $50.
Is Phantom Energy Haunting Your House?
Many of the electronic devices in your home stay on, even when they are "off". Chargers for cell phones, power tools and other gadgets draw energy even when they are not in use. Appliances like televisions, computer monitors and DVD players can also draw power. It's not insignificant: "phantom energy" accounts for 5-10% of electricity use at home.
The Solution
Unplugging these devices is the simplest way to solve the problem. We recommend using power strips and plugging multiple items into them, so you can flick one switch and turn everything off at once.
Mind Your Thermostat
Widely available starting at around $30, a programmable thermostat helps make it easy for you to save by offering many settings to regulate your home's temperature in both summer and winter - when you are home, asleep, or away. You can save about 1% of your energy bill per degree you set back, meaning setting your thermostat 7-10 degrees higher when you are away can save up to 10% on your cooling bill.
Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise?
Do you operate your ceiling fan clockwise or counter-clockwise? There is often confusion on which way to run your fans. In the summer, use the ceiling fan in the counter-clockwise direction. While standing directly under the ceiling fan you should feel a cool breeze.
Did you know?
Even at high speed, a ceiling fan typically uses less energy than a 100 watt light bulb - and less than a 25 watt bulb at low speed. Some fans use LED bulbs for even greater savings.
Saving Energy At Work
Sometimes, the biggest challenge to improving energy efficiency is knowing where to start and how to get through the process. New Jersey's Clean Energy Program offers financial incentives for businesses and municipalities to help lower energy costs.
The Bottom Line
Energy can be a significant component of your company's operating expenses. Wasteful or inefficient operation can directly impact the bottom line.
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