Implementing some of the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) and other expert’s energy saving tips below, Maryland residents can save big over time. With the money saved, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do some of these sooner
An Easy Path
Brrr. Use cold water in top loading washing machines and you can save money (up to $63+ a year) and save energy. Cold water formulated detergents like Tide, Gain, and 7th Generation get your clothes just as clean in cold water.
Who knew? A plasma TV left plugged in can cost big in a year – $159.76 big! Wow! So, it’s a money-saver to unplug your TV when not in use.
Cut it short. Low-flow showerheads can achieve substantial savings -between 25% – 60%! Taking short showers and bank the extra savings!
Little Changes Can Mean Big Savings
Bright Idea! CFLs last up to 10 times longer than incandescent and use 75% less electricity! This can save up to $65 over the lifetime of the light bulb.
Turn it down. Turning your water heater temperature to the warm setter of 120 degrees saves energy and is also safer for the family, reducing the risk of scalding.
Do the math. For 8 hours and turning your thermostat back 10% – 15% – you can save as much as 10% on your energy bill AND that’s can add up to a substantial annual savings.
| Fawn over your fan. Ceiling and window fans provide not only added cooling and better circulation, but it allows you to raise the thermostat so you can cut down on air conditioning costs and save energy. |
Lights out. With the average household dedicating 11% of its energy budget to lighting; turning off lights when not in use is definitely a bright idea! Wasted energy = wasted money.
Get the Whole Family on Board
Pump it up. Pump up your tires and pump up the gas mileage savings by 3% with properly inflated tires. Who knew?!
Fun and savings. Spend your savings on a different type of fun when you to unplug your gaming system when not in use. A game console left plugged in can cost roughly $25.73 a year.
Don’t forget about the laptop! Laptops cost too, when left plugged in – an estimated $15.90 annually.
Pass Along the Tips and the Savings
| Dracula’s Summer. Since windows account for 10%-25% of your energy bill and during the summer your AC has to work hard to cool the hot air from those sunny windows – shut the curtains and the shades. Give your AC and your energy bill a place to rest. 😉 |
Keep it full. Not only will your family love you, but you will also save when you keep your fridge temperature between 37 and 40 degrees (F). AND … keep your refrigerator full because it allows less cold air to escape when the door is open.
By following just a few of these practical and simple energy saving tips, you can make your home run more efficiently and save money. Be sure to also schedule a yearly maintenance check on your heating and air so you keep your systems in tip-top, energy-efficient shape!
Consider as well, the O’Grady Companies now offers certified thermography services for both homes and businesses. This is a preventative maintenance procedure on your electrical panel that can detect problems and save you money!