Energy Efficiency
Did you know?
The typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills. Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. For more information on how to conserve energy and save money, contact your member cooperative today.
ETEC applauds its 10 electric cooperatives for providing members important conservation and energy efficiency information, tools and resources. By employing smart energy efficient systems, residents can keep track of their energy usage, save money and learn ways to conserve energy. ETEC and its cooperatives will continue to offer tips for conserving electricity.
Energy Efficiency Tips
Right in your own home, you have the power to reduce energy demand, and when you reduce demand, you cut the amount of resources, like coal and gas, needed to make energy—that means you create less greenhouse gas emissions, which keeps air cleaner for all of us. Plus, reducing energy use increases our energy security.
Conserving energy saves you money in two ways: (1) Your lowered usage saves money on your monthly electric bill; and (2) When many members lower their usage, it saves the electric cooperatives money as well. You can save energy dollars by following some of these simple rules. Many of them are common sense suggestions that require no tools or out of pocket expense. Over time, you will see your energy efficiency increase and your energy savings multiply.
Shade outside air conditioning units
A/C units shaded by trees or other means work more efficiently and use up to 10% less electricity.
Keep debris and high grass away
These obstacles block the airflow to the unit. Blockage makes the condenser work harder and run longer. It’s also a good idea to clean your A/C’s condenser coils at the beginning of the season.
Don’t close vents in unused rooms
If you have central air-conditioning, closing vents in unused rooms could increase the pressure and cause leaks in your ducts. This does not apply to homes or apartments with window units where closing off unused rooms will reduce cooling costs and increase comfort.
Clean or replace filters at least once a month.
Dirty filters make your system work harder and run longer than necessary. They also encourage the build-up of mold and mildew, making cleaning more difficult.
Set your thermostat to savings
Setting your thermostat to 78° in the summer and 68° in the winter will help you save. Each degree cooler or warmer will increase your energy use by 6 to 8%. Setting your thermostat at 72 in the summer could increase energy use by up to 40%.
Consider an upgrade to high efficiency
New high efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps use up to 40% less electricity than older models for the same amount of running time.