New Year’s Resolution for Saving Energy

As we head into a brand-new year, it’s an ideal time to add energy conservation to your list of resolutions! Reducing energy use in your home will also help you save money. Here are thirteen easy ways to help you with your energy-saving resolutions.

Appliances

• Taking shorter showers will mean less water your heater needs to heat, which will lower your bill.
• When you can, try to wait until you can wash a full load of laundry. If washing a smaller load, adjust to the appropriate water level setting. Also, wash your clothes with cold water when possible. Remember to clean the lint screen to improve air circulation and fires!
• Your freezer will use more energy to keep a small number of items frozen than if you filled the entire freezer. Remember, almost anything can be frozen so stock up on items for nights when you do not feel like cooking!

Electronics

• Turn off electronics when sleeping or away. Even when turned off, electronics can continue to draw power. You can also activate power saving settings on gaming systems.
• We also recommend using smart power strips. These can help eliminate power consumption by automatically turning power off when not being used.

HVAC

• By installing a programmable thermostat which can be reset whether you are home, sleeping or away is a great way to save energy and money as we enter cooler months.
• Give HVAC a break and use a ceiling fan. For cooler months set your fan to spin clockwise to pull warm air down from the ceiling. For warmer months set your fan to spin counterclockwise to create a wind chill effect.
• Look around your house to make sure you are not blocking air vents with furniture and other items. This can make your systems work harder to heat or cool your home.
• Check your filters regularly. This helps keep your indoor air clean while keeping dust, allergens, and other unpleasant stuff from entering or damaging your furnace.

Lighting

• Switch to LED lights. Led lights are the most energy efficient lights. They use up to 90% less energy and can last longer than your average bulb. LED lights can be placed inside or outside of your home and tend to work well in cold environments. You can find LED products used for walkway lights, step lights, solar power lights, lamps, reading lights and more.
• Turn the lights off in your home whether you are home or away. If you will be out of a room or your home for more than 15 minutes, turn the lights off.

Windows

• Seal air leaks! You can do this by applying caulk and weather strips. Make sure to double check for air leaks that might have been missed.
• Window attachments including shades, blinds, screens, curtains, awnings and more can be used to improve energy performance. During the warmer months, it is good to keep windows covered to reduce heat gain. During the cooler months it is good to open window coverings to allow the sun and heat into your home.

We know that changing routines can be hard, but we challenge you to use these tips to make your home more energy efficient. At AEP Energy we are committed to powering a brighter future for our customers and our communities. That includes offering energy efficient products. Check out AEP Energy Reward Store^®, our one-stop online marketplace where you can find a variety of energy-efficient home products including LED lights and programmable thermostats.

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