Energy Efficiency and Audits
The cheapest and cleanest energy is the energy you don't use. Many energy efficiency actions can be done by a homeowner or renter, some ideas below. Changing systems with home can also reduce energy usage. To learn what needs to be done or get help in doing it, consider getting an energy audit.
Upgrade Lighting to LED
Incandescent bulbs waste 80%-90% of their energy on heat. LEDs use much less energy and put it where it should go – providing light. “Soft white” and dimmable LEDs now look & work like incandescents.
Benefits to you: LEDs will last years, incandescent bulb life is measured in hours. Savings from reduced energy use and replacement bulbs far outweigh the higher initial investment.
The Simple Steps to Take: Replace the most used incandescent bulbs first, replacing more and more over time. Instant Peco discounts available in stores on select items or purchase through Peco marketplace. https://pecomarketplace.com/collections/lighting
Energy Star rated LED bulbs and fixtures undergo additional quality testing to ensure lifetime and quality of life.
Unplug Phantom Electrical Loads
Chargers not charging and devices plugged in but turned off still use energy. Unplugging unused appliances cuts your energy usage.
Benefits to you: Reduced energy usage means reduced energy bills and savings.
The Simple Steps to Take: Use power strips to plug in lightly used devices and turn them off when not needed or use power strips that automatically turn off power. Unplug old refrigerators and other appliances that are under-utilized.
Remove or upgrade old 2nd refrigerator
"...[R]efrigerators built in the 1970s may use five times more electricity than new, high-efficiency ones and may cost $200 per year more to run than new ENERGY STAR® models. A 20-year-old refrigerator could use 1,700 kWh of electricity every year, compared with about 450 kWh for a similarly sized new ENERGY STAR model. At an electrical cost of 12 cents per kWh, that represents a savings of $150 per year and a potential payback of about 7-9 years. Also, if your old refrigerator requires costly repairs (exceeding a few hundred dollars), then it probably makes sense to replace it with an energy-efficient model.
To calculate the energy savings you will realize by retiring your old refrigerator, visit ENERGY STAR’s Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator." Source: Clean Energy Research Teams
Wash Clothes on Cold
90% of energy used by washing machines is from heating the water! Choose cold water to save energy, save your clothes, and save money. Modern detergents use enzymes that work well in cold as in hot water. For heavy soil, look for detergents designed for cold-water washing (the Tide Coldwater Clean detergent really does work amazingly well). Some work better than others. The rest of the time (not heavily soiled) you can probably use any laundry detergent and it will work fine in cold water.
If anyone at home is sick, however, hot water may be needed in combination with high heat drying for sanitation.
Use a programmable thermostat
You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting when you are not at home or are sleeping.
Use energy efficient appliances
You can save money by using EnergyStar appliances. EnergyStar rates appliances for energy effieicncy.