Ways to Save

On average, 35-45% of a home’s electric bill goes to heating and cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Try these tips to reduce the amount of power you use and save on your bill:

• In summer, set your thermostat to 78 degrees. Lower settings increase operating costs approximately 5% for every degree below 78 degrees. Keep your home warmer than normal when you’re away, and you’ll see significant savings on heating and cooling costs.
• In winter, set your thermostat to 68 degrees. As a rule of thumb, your heating cost will increase 3% for each degree above 68 degrees.
• Use smart thermostats. They conserve energy by customizing heating and cooling based on your patterns and preferences. Members can save on smart thermostats with an instant rebate from Jackson EMC Marketplace.
• Use shades, blinds and curtains to your advantage. In summer, tilt blinds up to divert heat away. In winter, keep curtains open and tilt blinds down to let warmth in. Close them at night to prevent heat loss.
• Use a ceiling fan. By using a ceiling fan in a room, you’ll feel cooler, thus making it less likely you’ll need to lower your thermostat.

For more tips on cutting heating and cooling costs, see our DIY HVAC video.

The same as you do for your car, you need to provide routine maintenance for your heating and cooling system.

• Check air filters every 1-2 months and replace when dirty. Clogged air filters restrict airflow and cause your compressor to work harder. Clean filters save 5-15% on your electric bill. Our Filter Change Program helps you keep your filters clean.
• Seal ductwork. Leaky ductwork allows your conditioned air to escape. In a typical house, about 20-30% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts.
• Ensure proper airflow. Don’t block indoor supply and return vents with furniture. Keep the outdoor unit free of grass, shrubs, snow or anything that could block airflow. Allow six feet of space above and two to three feet of space around the outdoor unit.
• Get a performance checkup every six months. Call an HVAC professional for semi-annual checkups and maintenance to ensure your system operates at peak performance. To find a qualified contractor near you, see our Participating Contractor Network.

For maximum comfort in your home, keep conditioned air inside.

• Add caulking or weather stripping around doors, windows and attic access doors where air leaks out. Check the bottoms of doors to make sure thresholds seal when closed.
• To reduce air leaks, install insulated foam gaskets behind electric outlets and switch plate covers on exterior walls.
• Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducts or electrical wiring comes through walls, floors, ceilings and soffits.
• Use spray foam sealant to seal holes around windows, baseboards, pipes in bathrooms and kitchens, or other places where air may leak out.
• Lower heating and cooling costs by upgrading to attic insulation with a value of R-38. Insulation depth should be 12-14 inches for blown-in fiberglass; 8-9 inches for blown-in cellulose; and 10 inches for batt depth. Don’t place items stored in your attic on top of insulation.
• Check for proper ventilation in attics and crawl spaces. Proper ventilation reduces moisture build-up in the summer and winter.
• Insulate floors above the basement or crawl space. An insulation value of R-19 in floors provides more comfort and lower power bills.

For more on making these energy efficient improvements, see our Ty Talks Insulation video.

On average, water heating accounts for 13% of the energy consumed in your home.

Consider these measures to conserve energy and save money:

• Check efficiency of your water heater. Replace old water heaters with new high-efficiency models. Shop for a high insulation R-value in the tank wall and a good warranty (10 years and up).
• Set the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees for energy efficiency.
• Repair leaky faucets and pipes. A faucet dripping hot water can waste gallons of water each year – plus the electricity used to heat it. Insulate hot water pipes, especially the first three feet that exit your water heater.
• Upgrade your washing machine. Newer models use less than half the water of those manufactured 20 years ago. Use cold or warm water instead of hot water when washing.
• Install water flow restrictors and low-flow showerheads to reduce hot water use.
• Centrally locate your water heater in a room with heavy traffic such as the kitchen, laundry room or bathroom.

Just a few good energy efficiency habits can save energy and, in turn, help to lower your monthly bill.

• Turn off lights, appliances and tools when not in use.
• Install a programmable thermostat for energy savings in summer and winter. If you have a heat pump, ask your HVAC professional for a programmable thermostat designed for it.
• Eliminate vampire energy, the electricity consumed by appliances and equipment that’s switched off but still plugged in. This wasted energy can cost $100-200 a year. Unplug devices when not in use, and use a power strip to turn off multiple devices at once.
• Learn how your home uses electricity. Learn more about your energy use with our Home Energy Monitor. Using your account information, this interactive program provides personalized advice on how you can save energy.
• Do it yourself. Use our DIY Energy Projects videos with step-by-step instructions to tackle home energy efficiency projects.

Energy used for cooking, refrigeration and dishwashing can affect your energy usage. Try these tips to cut energy costs in the kitchen:

• Use a slow cooker or toaster oven. Give your stove a break and put small appliances to work. You’ll save on energy and have a cooler kitchen.
• Microwaves are good for more than popcorn. Use this energy saver to steam veggies, heat soups, cook casseroles and reheat leftovers.
• Use the right size pan. Placing a 6-inch pan on an 8-inch burner wastes more than 40% of the heat produced. Cover pans so your food cooks faster while your kitchen stays cooler.
• Shift your fridge. If your refrigerator is pushed against the wall, pull it forward one inch to reduce energy use.

Replacing outdated light bulbs with LED bulbs will save energy – and money.

• Switch from incandescent to LED bulbs. On average, LED bulbs use 25-80% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last 3-25 times longer. Visit the Jackson EMC Marketplace for deals on LED bulbs.
• Use LED lighting where possible. It’s more efficient than CFL lighting and provides more light than incandescent bulbs while emitting less heat.

New models of appliances feature energy conserving technologies that can save you money.

• Replace a central air conditioning unit that’s more than 12 years old with an ENERGY STAR®-certified model, and you could save 30% on the cost to cool your home.
• Check the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) when you buy a heating and cooling system. The SEER is the ratio of the total cooling provided to the total energy consumed by your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER, the more efficient the air conditioner – and the more money you’ll save.
• Check the heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) when you buy an electric heat pump. The HSPF is the ratio of the total heat provided to the total energy consumed. The higher the HSPF, the more efficient the heat pump. A high efficiency heat pump can reduce cooling bills while increasing comfort in your home.
• Replace your air conditioner with an energy efficient electric heat pump. Replacing an older HVAC with a high-efficiency electric heat pump can reduce your heating bill by as much as 50%. Jackson EMC offers rebates for new heat pumps.