It’s National Energy Awareness Month and PECO is committed to helping our customers across southeastern Pennsylvania save energy and money as we head into the colder months.
This month highlights the importance of energy efficiency and conservation, encouraging families and businesses to make smart choices that reduce energy consumption and lower costs. Here are 12 steps that can keep you comfortable this winter while keeping costs down.
- Set it at 68°F – For each degree you lower the thermostat, you can save up to five percent on heating costs.
- Connect your mobile device to a smart thermostat – Manage your energy use anytime, anywhere and use a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your tempature settings when you’re sleeping or not home.
- Don’t heat the whole neighborhood – Add weather stripping and caulk around leaky areas.
- Don’t wash and dry half a laundry load – Wash full loads in cold water and clean the lint screen.
- Turn off the light when you leave a room – Also, switch to LEDs and reduce lighting costs by 70 percent.
- Beware of “phantom energy” – Unplug devices like chargers and electronics when not in use.
- Use smart power strips – Surge protectors can save energy and help shut down devices efficiently.
- Set your hot water heater at 120°F – Invest in a high-efficiency water heater with an Energy Factor (EF) rating of 91 or above.
- Set your refrigerator temperature to 38°F – In most homes, the refrigerator uses the most energy of all kitchen appliances.
- Run your dishwasher efficiently – Wash full loads to save energy, especially for heating water.
- Open the blinds – Open your blinds during the day and let sunlight help warm your home.
Ready to take the next step? PECO’s Energy Advisors are available to help make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Call 1-888-5-PECO-SAVE (1-888-573-2672) or visit peco.com/assessment to schedule an energy assessment.