October Is National Energy Awareness Month — Here’s How You Can Save Energy
With October being National Energy Awareness Month, we’re focusing our attention on energy efficiency and how important conservation is to our prosperity and the health of the environment. Energy Awareness Month promotes smart energy choices and reminds us that we can all make decisions every day to reduce energy use and increase sustainability.
Here are six easy ways to help you save energy this month and all year long:
- Install LEDs. Replace incandescent bulbs in your home with high-efficiency LEDs. LEDs use 80% less energy than conventional bulbs and last much longer. Remember to turn off lights whenever you're the last one to leave a room.
- Adjust your thermostat. Save energy at night or when no one's at home by adjusting the thermostat. If you have a programmable thermostat and you're not using it, now's a great time to start. Smart thermostat models include advanced features such as remote control. DLC offers rebates on many of these models.
- Pull the plug on standby power. Many electronic devices continue to use power when they're turned off. Unplug chargers and other electronic devices when it's convenient. Advanced power strips automatically shut off power to plugged-in devices when they're not being used.
- Insulate your home. Insulation keeps your house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. A minimum depth of eight to 10 inches of insulation works best to manage heating and cooling.
- Go low flow for showers. A typical shower sends 30 to 50 gallons of hot water down the drain. Save water and energy by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Also, take shorter showers and reduce the temperature on your water heater to 120°F.
- Run full loads when washing dishes and clothes. Your dishwasher and clothes washer use a lot of water and energy. Make the most of it by waiting until you have a full load to operate them. Air dry clothes when you can; it reduces energy use for drying and is easier on fabric, making your clothes last longer.
Help Is Out There
If you’re truly committed to reducing your energy use, you can hire a qualified technician to inspect and clean your heating system to ensure the most efficient performance. You can also conduct a home energy audit by hiring a qualified auditor to examine your home and provide recommendations to improve efficiency.
A Year-Round Commitment
While it may be National Energy Awareness Month, remember that conservation should occur all year. Even taking small steps can make a big difference in the long run for you and the environment.
Visit our website for more energy-saving tips and resources.
This article first appeared in the Pittsburgh Earth Day’s ‘Green Voice’ newsletter. Subscribe here.