With hot and humid weather forecasted through the end of the week, here is a list of tools and resources to help you make smart energy choices to save both energy and money now and into the future.
Top 10 ways to save energy:
1. Sign up for MyAccount on our website. And you'll be able to do much more than just pay your bill online, you can: Get an "at-a-glance" view of your energy use. Get an app to help analyze your energy. Get a personalized action plan to manage your energy costs.
2. Replace regular bulbs with LEDs. Lighting can account for up to 20% of your homes energy use. LEDs can provide the same amount of light and increased color definition as incandescent bulbs, using a fraction of the energy and lasting 7-15x longer.
3. Power down. Use a power strip. Save up to $80 a year by using smart strips and unplugging items not in use. Many appliances are still drawing power, even when switched off. Using power strips or unplugging things like DVRs, sound systems, game consoles and flat screen TVs can save on your bill. Powering down not only saves energy and money but can also help extend the life of your electronics.
4. Adjust your thermostat. Set your thermostat to 78 degrees for summer AC and 68 degrees for winter heat if your health permits. For every 2 degrees you turn down your thermostat in winter or up in summer, you can reduce costs by up to $200 a year.
5. Lower your water temperature. A 20-degree reduction can save you over $80 a year. For most uses, a water heater temperature of 120 degrees works fine.
6. Use an energy-efficient, variable speed pool pump to save you hundreds of dollars a year on your pool's energy costs. Try to limit filtering to between 4 and no more than 6 hours. If you heat your pool, make sure it's covered to keep the warmth where it belongs.
7. Try cold water wash. Save up to $42 on per year electric water heating costs by washing with cold water. Save even more with a $25 rebate on select washing machines.
8. Reduce outdoor lighting costs by up to 50% with a motion sensor. Use a timer to turn these lights off after bedtime to save while you're asleep.
9. Buy energy-efficient appliances. Save up to $80 a year on energy costs by choosing ENERGY STAR appliances, such as a refrigerator.
10. Seal and insulate your home. You could lower your heating and cooling bill by having proper insulation, a time-tested step that can help save energy year-round.