Ways to save energy right now that won't break the bank
| Lower the thermostat in the winter | |
| You'll save up to 3% on your energy cost for every degree below 73 degrees you set it. | |
| Seal up drafts in your home- weatherization | |
| If your house always feels cold and drafty, maybe it's time to do some detective work and seal up those drafty windows and doors. Caulking windows can keep heat from escaping and cold air from coming in. If your gaps are large, buy rope caulk. Install sweeps at the bottom of doors to stop drafts. The Baltimore City Weatherization program can come to your house and make it more energy efficient for free if you qualify. Click here or call 443-984-1066 to learn more. On average, they will spend about $2,500 in upgrades to your home and save homeowners an average of 20% on their bills, so it's worth it to call! | |
| Replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescents | |
| Replace the bulbs in the 3 most used lights in your house with compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs. These bulbs use 1/4 of the electricity of a regular bulb. They also last longer than regular bulbs, so that and the energy you'll save will make up for the slightly higher cost of the bulb. They are commonly known for their spiral shape, but there's a huge number of CF bulb types out there, from 3-way bulbs, to floodlights, to ones made for outdoor use, and ones that look like regular light bulbs with a glass cover. Don't use compact fluorescent bulbs in lights with dimmers, and make sure you look for compact fluorescent bulbs especially for outdoors if you plan on using them outside. | |
| Tune up your heating and air conditioning units yearly | |
| Getting your furnace or air conditioner tuned up will help it run better and more efficiently | |
| Change your filter in your furnace | |
| At a minimum, change your filter every 3 months. In summer and winter, when you are using the heat and AC the most, check them monthly. | |
| Seal air ducts in your home | |
| Sealing air ducts can be a do-it yourself job, if you have ducts you can see in your attic or basement, or can be a job for a professional. If you do it yourself, don't use duct tape, as it doesn't last. Ask for metal duct tape at the hardware store and use it to seal up cracks along the ducts. If the duct is in an area you never use, like in a crawl space, consider wrapping the duct with insulation. | |
| Shop around for better electricity prices | |
| Because of deregulation, you don't have to buy your electricity from BGE. Click here to go to the Public Service Commission's website for a list of electricity suppliers. Look at your BGE bill to see what their rate to compare is and shop around! You'll find fixed and variable rate plans available, as well as options for electricity generated by wind power. BGE will still deliver your electricity, and you will receive one bill from BGE. Click here for more info on switching electricity suppliers | |
| Install a programmable thermostat | |
| Use a programmable thermostat if you are not home during set periods of time during the week. Programmable thermostats can be set to lower temperatures in the winter, or higher temps in the summer, while you aren't home or are asleep. They can save up to $150 per year if properly used. These won't help homes where someone is always home or your schedule is not regular. | |
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