It's simple: You can impact your bill just by making small changes to use less energy. And if you're on a time-based plan, shifting some of your energy use to off-peak hours can lower your costs even more.
The benefits also go beyond a lower energy bill for you. Reducing overall energy use means postponing the need to build more power plants, and it helps extend the life of our existing equipment, which is good for everyone.
Good for YOU
- Reduces your utility bills
- Extends the life of your appliances
Good for EVERYBODY
- Reduces strain on our energy grid
- Postpones the need for more coal plants
Did you know?
You can get personalized tips by completing your Home Profile Quiz.
Easy ways to use less energy
There are ways to save energy in every part of your home...
- Smart thermostats
- Carpets, rugs or curtains keep rooms warmer, helping you lower thermostat temps in the winter
- Curtains also keep sun and heat out in the summer, keeping your home much cooler
- Change furnace filters when they're dirty
- Pre-heat and pre-cool before peak hours if you're on a time-based plan
- Schedule your thermostat settings to change temps when you're not home
- Wash clothes on "cold" or "cool" settings to save roughly 50 cents per load
- Run your washer and dryer outside of peak hours (outside of 4-8 pm) if you're on a time-based plan
- Wash full loads to avoid doing more loads
- Switch loads while the dryer is still warmer, if doing multiple loads
- Clean out the dryer filter often
- Wait until you have a full load of dishes to run the dishwasher
- Skip the drying cycle and open the door to let dishes air dry
- Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees. This temp is hot enough to kill bacteria but not too hot that it will burn your skin
- In the winter, open window coverings during the day to let the sun’s warmth in and close them at night
- In the summer, keep window coverings closed during the day to keep your home cooler and open windows at night to let in cooler air
- Make sure heating vents and return air ducts are not blocked by furniture or curtains
- Install updated weather stripping for your front door to prevent losing energy and money
