Go green and save
Over the past year, we’ve all spent a lot of time at home, and you’ve probably noticed a few things around the house that could use updating. With spring temperatures and extended daylight, this time of year is perfect for tackling those maintenance projects and improvement ideas.
Don’t know where to start? Consider these energy-efficiency projects for your home, and if you are a business owner, some of these projects can work for your business also. They can save you money on your monthly energy bill and are also good for the environment.
Weatherize your home
Start by insulating and weatherizing your home or business or checking the condition of existing items. Weatherizing and achieving greater energy efficiency are important all year, especially when temperatures soar into the triple digits.
Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors with caulk and weather stripping. Prevent cool air from escaping by closing the damper on your chimney in your home and by keeping exterior doors and windows closed. Preventing cool air from escaping is the first step in keeping you cool and comfortable this summer and essential to keeping your hard-earned money from going out the window.
Other simple, inexpensive things to do include replacing worn out door sweeps, insulating electrical outlets and switches, and adding attic insulation, if the budget permits.
Need assistance with weatherization? Our SaveNow Casa Verde Weatherization Program helps income-qualifying homeowners and renters reduce energy loss (and costs) with free energy efficiency improvements.
Keep your air conditioner well-maintained
One of the most effective ways to save energy is to give your HVAC system some TLC. Sticking to a routine maintenance schedule performed by a licensed and bonded professional at least twice a year will ensure your air conditioner is clean and operating efficiently. A well-maintained air conditioning unit runs more efficiently, uses less energy, and can prevent costly breakdowns, all of which keep money in your pocket. It also saves you from tracking down reputable AC company help during their high-demand time of the year – the dog days of summer. Routine maintenance helps maintain a comfortable temperature in your home and business.
Apart from routine maintenance, check and replace air filters every two weeks from May through September, if needed. Dirty filters restrict airflow which causes the system to work harder.
And with the convenience of a WiFi programmable thermostat, managing the temperature in your home or business is a breeze. Whether you own or are thinking about purchasing one, registering your WiFi thermostats in the WiFi Thermostat Rewards program can save you more money. Earn rebates in the form of bill credits while enjoying many other conveniences of a WiFi thermostat. Learn more about the program and which thermostats qualify by visiting the WiFi Thermostat Rewards webpage. Also, you’ll want to understand the 20-degree difference that affects your air conditioning system’s operational efficiency.
Looking for more ways to boost your energy efficiency and save money? Visit SaveNow and learn about available energy savings programs and rebates for your home or business.
Invest in energy-efficient light bulbs
Another easy, environmentally-friendly, and energy-saving project to consider is installing LED light bulbs. Replacing incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs with LED light bulbs will play a role in the overall energy efficiency of your home or business.
Apart from emitting less heat and using less power, LEDs last longer, saving you money. According to energy.gov, good-quality LED bulbs can last more than 25 times longer than traditional light bulbs and can have a useful life of 25,000 hours. That equates to more than three years if run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Having an environmentally-friendly home or business comes with many benefits, but you can boost your energy savings further by taking steps to reduce energy consumption. Using natural light as much as possible and turning lights off when you leave the room is an easy, no-cost action to conserve energy every day.
Install Solar Panels
Investing in solar is a great way to go green and save money on your energy bill.
CPS Energy offers a rebate to customers to help offset the upfront cost of installing a system. Before investing in solar, we recommend shopping around and getting at least three quotes from a CPS Energy registered solar contractor. Learn more about solar rebates.
Bottom line
Environmentally-friendly improvement projects are a valuable investment in your home and business and the right direction to an Environmentally Responsible and Resilient future. We invite you to join us on this path forward. For more ways to save energy and money through energy conservation and efficiency, visit CPS Energy.
