Energy Efficiency
Top five energy users in your home - A starting
point for savings While most homeowners would like to be more energy efficient and save money, often it feels overwhelming because many people don’t know where to start. How can the average fam- ily use less energy, lower their utility bill and still meet their daily energy needs? To help jumpstart your effort, it is useful to know what the top energy users are in your home. With this knowledge, you can choose a path that works best for your family.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, the top five energy users in U.S. homes are: 1. Space cooling 2. Space heating 3. Water heating 4. Lighting 5. Refrigeration
Adjust the temperature Together, home heating and cooling use the most energy and take the biggest bite out of your energy budget. On the bright side, there are ways you can achieve at least 10 percent savings by taking a few simple low-cost or no-cost steps. • During cold weather, set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahren- heit. • During warm weather, the rec- ommended indoor temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. • Cleaning the filters of your HVAC system can cut costs from five to 15 percent. • Clean the coils around your electric baseboard heater to maintain maximum efficiency. •
Caulk and weather-strip around 4
windows and doors to prevent heat from escap- ing to the outdoors. No matter
Top Five Energy Users
in U.S. Homes Estimated residential electricity consumption by end use, 2014*
Other uses include TV, set-top boxes, home entertainment and gaming systems, monitors and networking equipment, clothes dryer, small electric devices, heating elements and motors.
Space Cooling 13%
Lighting 11%
Water Heating 9%
Space Heating 9%
Refrigeration 7%
*Source: EIA
what the climate or time of year, proper use of a programmable thermostat can save you 10 per- cent on your monthly utility bill. Shine the light on savings Take a fresh look at the light- ing in your home. If you still use incandescent lighting, your light bulbs are operating at only 25 percent energy efficiency. Re- placing your home’s five most frequently used bulbs with Energy Star-certified LEDs can save you $75 per year. Another easy way to save is to always turn lights off in rooms that are not being used. Water heating efficiency Just as it is energy-wise to insulate your roof, wall or floor, it also pays to wrap your hot water heater with an insulating blanket. This is all the more critical if you have an older unit. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instruc- tions. For additional efficiency and savings, insulate exposed hot water lines and drain one to two gallons of water from the bottom of your tank annually to prevent sediment build-up.
Put cold hard cash back in your wallet
If your refrigerator was pur- chased before 2001, chances are it uses 40 percent more energy than a new Energy Star model. If you are considering an appliance
update, a new Energy Star refrig- erator uses at least 15 percent less energy than non-qualified models and 20 percent less en- ergy than required by current fed- eral standards. Regardless of the age of your fridge, there are addi- tional steps you can take to save energy and money. For example, don’t keep your refrigerator too cold. The Department of Energy recommends temperatures of 35 – 38 degrees Fahrenheit for the fresh food compartment and 0 degrees Fahrenheit for separate freezers (used for long-term stor- age).
By understanding how your home uses energy, you can deter- mine the best ways to modify en- ergy use and keep more money in your wallet. For additional ways to save, contact Kay Electric Coop- erative’s energy experts. 1004901
Anne Prince writes on consumer and cooperative affairs for the National Rural Electric Coopera- tive Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the na- tion’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.
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