Happy Thanksgiving from Energy Saver! In this season of mindfulness and gratitude, we take time being thankful for the things we have. One thing to be thankful for are the many easy ways to save energy (and money!) to make life easier.
One such thing to be tankful for is home weatherization. Weatherization is the cornerstone of a home's energy efficiency. The first place to start when installing home weatherization measures is with a professional energy assessment. The assessor will go room by room to tell you which measures you could benefit from installing. If you follow through with making the recommended upgrades, you could save anywhere from 5% to 30% on your energy bill.
Another thing to be thankful for are home appliance rebate programs. Not only do energy-efficient home appliances save energy, but they could also can be eligible for rebates through your local utility or government. Check out ENERGY STAR’s rebate finder to see which ones qualify.
Energy-efficient lighting is also something for which to be grateful. Energy-efficient LED light bulbs use 25% to 80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, and they can last 3 to 25 times longer. The right bulb can also offer a delightful, soft light as you enjoy Thanksgiving dinner.
Yet something else to be thankful for are programmable thermostats. A programmable thermostat can help you save energy and money on your heating bill this winter. By using the features of a programmable thermostat to turn down the temperature in your home when you are out and when you are sleeping, you could save as much 5% to 15% or more on heating and cooling costs annually, depending on the settings. Basically you could save approximately 1% per degree! It would be comforting to know while hosting Thanksgiving dinner your home is at its optimal temperature and the guests are comfortable .
Lastly, public transportation is a thankful gift in our lives. Transportation is responsible for a whopping 71% of U.S. oil and gas use. Before you jump in the car to head to Thanksgiving dinner or shopping this holiday weekend, think if there is a way to go car-free. If you don’t have public transportation available as an option for getting around, consider carpooling with neighbors or friends.
Which energy saving things are you thankful for this year?
We're thankful for energy-efficient light bulbs, home energy audits, ENERGY STAR appliances, and using public transportation. | Photos courtesy of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
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