Top 10 Things To Know About Energy Efficiency
- Get Audited We’re not talking about the IRS!
Get a free energy audit by contacting: NStar at www.NStar.com and KeySpan at www.KeyspanEnergy.com. Let the experts walk through your business to show you possible updates and changes that can save energy and money. Some programs offer rebate savings!
- Lighten Up
Replace your old incandescent lights with new Compact Fluorescent Lights (CLF). CFL's are 4 times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents. A 22-watt CFL has about the same light output as a 100-watt incandescent and uses 75% less energy! Better yet, use natural light instead of bulbs whenever possible.
- Install Motion Sensors
Installing motion sensors for rooms is an inexpensive way to assure unnecessary lights are turned off.
- Turn the “off” OFF Just because the appliance is turned off doesn’t mean that it isn’t drawing energy. A Phantom Load (power that is being used while the appliance is off…Think computer or cell phone charger) is wasted energy and money. *The United States spends approximately $3 billion a year in standby power consumption! Use a power strip to serve as a surge protector and as a simple way to turn off all appliances when not in use. *(Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA)
- Nice Pipes
Set your water temperature to 120 degrees and insulate your tank with a hot water heater blanket (read the label on your water heater first to make sure it is OK) and pipes with pipe insulation. The blanket can save you 10% or more depending on the quality of your tank.
- Don’t Be Hot and Cold
Set the thermostat to 76 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter. Save 6%-7% on every degree above 76 in the summer or below 68 in the winter! *Better yet, use a fan in summer! (cityofboston.gov)
- Get Programmed
Why cool or heat a room when nobody is occupying it? Using a programmable thermostat is a great way to conserve energy and money by only cooling or heating rooms at specified times.
- Maintenance Saves
Perform regular maintenance to keep heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems running more efficiently. Maintenance activities can save up to 30% of fan energy and up to 10% of space conditioning energy use. *(www.p2pays.org)
- Get in the Shade
Using shades can reduce heat gain by 77%. *Using shades, blinds or awnings are a cost effective and simple way to save energy. Use white blinds to reflect sunlight away. (consumer energy center .com?)
- Invest in Renewable Energy
Support the development of renewable energy resources in the region by participating in NStar Green. Participation will help reduce fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of renewable energy.
