Making your home more energy-efficient isn’t just about having a positive impact on the
environment – it will make a positive impact on your wallet, too, by reducing your utility
bills. Some changes are very simple, like replacing old lightbulbs or unplugging
machines that aren’t in use, while other projects can transform your home, like bringing
your air conditioning up to date or installing solar panels.
Big or small, the changes you make can help lower your monthly utility bills and lessen
your environmental impact.
Here are 10 ways to save energy and lower your utility bills at home:
● Consult a professional.
● See what’s using the most energy.
● Use smaller machines for work and entertainment.
● Update old appliances.
● Change out old lights.
● Replace your showerhead.
● Pay attention to your thermostat.
● Insulate and reduce air leakage.
● Have your HVAC serviced.
● Put solar panels on your roof.
Also Consult Comed
You can also schedule an assessment by calling 1-855-433-2700. When you complete the screening
process you will be scheduled for an assessment and income eligible customer homes will be
evaluated for additional energy efficiency retrofits.
HERE ARE THE BENEFITS
● Save money on your energy bill.
● Enhance the comfort of your home.
● Good energy-use habits lead to less air pollution, cleaner air to breathe, and a healthier
tomorrow for future generations.
● Ask for a In-person review of your home for energy-saving opportunities with one of Comed’s
Energy Advisors. Comed will replace LED light for free and offer other discounted products.
For more information go to
https://www.comed.com/waystosave/foryourhome/pages/singlefamily.aspx
THINGS TO CONSIDER AND IMPLEMENT
See What's Using the Most Energy
Some electronics in your home are "energy vampires" – devices that continuously sap
power even when they’re turned off. Here’s a good way to figure out which devices
should be unplugged to cut down your electric bill.
A device called Sense is an energy monitor that plugs into your electrical panel and
provides details about your home’s electricity use through a mobile app. The monitor
can be purchased online through the company's website or Amazon, among other
options, and connected to the app once downloaded to your phone. The app will then
show you how plugging in or unplugging different devices changes the total amount of
wattage in use.
Use Smaller Machines for Work and Entertainment
Especially when you find yourself at home more, the devices you use for work and play
can have a big impact on your energy usage. A desktop computer, for example, will
draw more energy than a laptop, even when the laptop is plugged in.
“A laptop computer tends to be more efficient – the components are more efficient – but
also, you can unplug it,” says Lauren Urbanek, senior energy policy advocate for the
climate and clean energy program for NRDC, or Natural Resources Defense Council.
Additionally, many video game consoles, like PlayStation and Xbox, offer TV and movie
streaming apps but they’re far less efficient than smaller devices designed for
streaming. Urbanek estimates they use “somewhere in the range of 20 times more
energy than if you use a Roku or Apple TV device.” To save energy, aim to use your
video game console for video games, and get a dedicated streaming device for
watching TV.
Update Old Appliances
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but newer appliances operate more efficiently than older
ones. The most efficient appliances have an Energy Star rating from the DOE and
Environmental Protection Agency, which tells you they're designed to use less energy
and can help save on utility costs. For washing machines and dishwashers, "eco" settings or efficiency cycles take a lot
more time but use less water and electricity. The added time may seem inconvenient,
but it could have a visible effect on your bill – especially if you run the dishwasher and
washing machine daily or more often.
