Sunday, January 10, 2021, is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day. This nationally recognized day aims to raise awareness about the many ways to reduce the impact of energy expenditures, both financially and environmentally. National Cut Your Energy Costs Day was first established by the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance and is now observed in numerous places throughout the world, including the United States.
“On an annual basis, homes account for 22% of energy usage in the United States,” said Stephan Thompson, Energy Services Advisor. “Heating and cooling costs are some of the most expensive household bills that our customers typically face. With more people than ever working and learning from home, many households have seen their monthly budget impacted by increases in their home energy costs.”
According to Thompson, there are numerous options available to help save money and conserve energy in our homes. “There are many ways to reduce energy costs, including installing energy-efficient appliances, electronics, and LED lighting, just to name a few,” he said. “From thermostat adjustments to sealing leaks, minor changes can have a significant impact on the total cost of utility bills. There are many tips that can be implemented with little or no associated costs.”
Some helpful and low-cost tips include:
- In the cooler months, try adjusting your thermostat to between 66-68 degrees and even lower, or completely off, when you’re away. In the summer, the recommended energy efficiency setting is 76-78 degrees when you’re home, and higher or completely off, when you’re away.
- Close air supply registers in rooms that aren’t in use. This can prevent your heating or cooling unit from working overtime to keep a room comfortable that’s not being used.
- Check your ductwork to ensure there are no leaks. Leaking air, whether it’s hot or cold, will keep a unit working longer than necessary to reach your desired setting.
- Check your windows and doors for leaks. Caulking or weather-stripping doors and windows can help seal air leaks and prevent cold or hot air from coming inside.
- Clean/change filters to your heating/air conditioning system(s) as recommended by the manufacturer. A dirty filter means your unit is working harder than it needs to keep you comfortable.
- In the cooler months, take advantage of heat from the sun by opening shades and drapes for sun-facing windows to let the sun help heat your home. Close these at night or during overcast days to help insulate your home from the cold. Keep them closed during the summer months when you don’t need any extra heat warming your home.
- Cover drafts where you can. An easy and inexpensive way to cover your windows is with heavy-duty clear plastic sheets on a frame, just make sure the plastic is tightly sealed to the frame.
- Reduce heat loss from your fireplace. Make sure the damper is closed unless you have a fire burning. Otherwise, warm air can escape through the chimney.
- If you don’t use your fireplace at all, plug and seal the chimney flue.
- Consider converting to energy-efficient lighting. The most affordable way to do this is by replacing traditional incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs as they burn out.
- Fix leaking toilets and sinks. The average dripping faucet can cost you $22 per month while the average leaking toilet can cost you almost $45 per month.
Thompson says that in addition to these simple adjustments, the City provides several other ways customers can take control of their home energy consumption and help reduce their utility bills. “For customers who want to better understand their energy usage and look for ways to lower costs, we provide online tools. The Energy Resource Center can be found on our website at Thomasville.org. These helpful tools offer residential customers the ability to make use of television, appliance, and heat pump calculators that analyze their energy usage based on simple information the customer provides,” he said.
“Converting to natural gas, participating in our On-Bill Financing or Budget Billing Programs, or having a free Home Energy Audit are just some of the ways the City can help save you money,” said Thompson. “Natural gas is safe, reliable, and energy-efficient. Customers can qualify for rebates of up to $700 when adding or converting to natural gas with the City of Thomasville.” The On-Bill Financing Program provides low-interest funding to residential homeowners for the purchase and installation of energy-efficient equipment and home energy efficiency improvements. “This program allows homeowners to install appliances at little or no upfront cost, pay no interest, and finance the improvements on their utility bill,” he said.
Budget Billing provides customers with more control over their utility bills by paying a set amount each month. “Customer’s monthly payment is based on the average of their annual utility usage, making their payment the same each month,” said Thompson. Program enrollment is available twice each year during April and October.
“The City of Thomasville is also proud to offer free Home Energy Audits that provide customers with a personalized assessment of their home,” said Thompson. “Customers will receive a detailed report that will identify specific ways that they can save on their utilities.” He added, “Small adjustments can yield big savings in the long run.”
For more information on energy efficiency through all seasons, or to learn more about the programs offered by the City of Thomasville, please call Customer Care at 229-227-7001 or visit Thomasville.org.