Energy Saving Tips

Customers Save with Pioneer

Home energy saving tips can mean big energy savings on the next electric bill. From appliance purchases to minor home improvements, discover the tricks that make a huge difference in home energy use. Everyone can do their part to reduce energy consumption, increase reliability during peak hours, and save money on electricity bills.

Summer Savings Tips

Home energy saving tips will beat the heat and lower the bills.

Set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. Customers can save around 5 to 10 percent on cooling costs for every two degrees the temperature is raised.
Adjust ceiling fans to turn counterclockwise in the summer.
Use fans instead of central air conditioning whenever possible. A fan costs nearly 90 percent less to operate than an air-conditioner.

Change air filters regularly. An air-conditioning unit with dirty filters can use 5-10 percent more energy. In general, HVAC system air filters . However, since there are different types of filters, check the manufacturer’s recommendation regarding a replacement schedule.
Consider hiring a professional technician to clean the condenser and evaporator coils.

Winter Savings Tips

Set the thermostat to 68 degrees and lower it to 58 degrees at night or when no one is home.
If using a heat pump, set the lower temperature to 63 degrees. Heat pumps are designed to maintain temperatures within a narrower range.
If little or no air is coming out of vents, or if some rooms are colder than others, have a licensed HVAC contractor check A/C duct.

Get the heating system professionally checked once a year and change the air filters regularly.
Keep vents open and air flowing. Closing doors and room vents puts extra strain on the central heating system.

Year-Round Savings Tips

Water Heaters

Wrap the water heater with a water heater blanket to keep heated water warm.
Set the water heater temperature to 120 degrees.
Install low-flow showerheads and fix leaky faucets.

Weatherization

For houses more than 15 years old, check the insulation in the attic and floors.
Check the weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows. Up to 20 percent of the warm or cool air inside a typical house is lost through the windows.
Curtains or blinds can act as additional insulation for windows or can be opened to let in the sun’s heat.

Lighting

Consider replacing any incandescent bulbs or compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in the home with energy-efficient LED lights. They use about a quarter of the energy to produce the same light as halogens and can last five to ten times longer.
Install light-sensitive controls or timers to automatically turn off lights when they are not needed.
Choose solar-powered lights for the yard or outside the home.
Use desk lamps to focus the light where needed, rather than wasting energy lighting an entire room.
Maximize daylight usage. Use task light to minimize general overhead lighting.

Appliances

When not using lights and appliances, turn them off or unplug them if possible.
Use smart strips so multiple appliances can be turned off at once.
Use dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers only when they are full.
Avoid using appliances during the peak hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., when demand for electricity is highest.
Clean the coils at the back or bottom of the refrigerator to keep it running efficiently.
Keep in mind that every time a refrigerator door is opened, the compressor must run for eight to ten minutes to cool it down again.

Reduce Water Consumption

Use Low–Flow Spray Valves – Replace pre-rinse spray valves with newer models that have lower GPM (gallons per minute) ratings.
Install Low-Flow Aerators – Consider using low-flow aerators or flow regulators that limit the amount of water flowing out of the faucet and lower the GPM to save money.
Repair Leaky Faucets – Over time, the drips from a single leaky faucet add up. Instead of wasting water and money, repair faucets with new components.
Install Waterless Urinals – These devices save 1 to 5 gallons of water per flush. The maintenance is reduced and there is never any flooding.

Commercial Customers Also Save with Pioneer!

Commercial customers have energy needs that are unique and vary widely depending on the industry or business. Saving energy can translate to big operational energy savings, a smaller carbon footprint, and improved profitability. Businesses can qualify for efficiency programs and earn rebates for energy-saving purchases when they consider new machinery or appliances to improve operations and conserve energy.

Pioneer is committed to being a community-owned resource and to helping commercial customers research and implement options to save money on their energy bills. Pioneer has curated information from specific industries and provided energy-saving tips and tricks that reduce consumption and ultimately improve the bottom line.

These tips have been compiled from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ENERGY STAR program. If you have any questions about other ways to reduce your energy bills, please contact your Pioneer Community Energy team by email at info@pioneercommunityenergy.org or by phone at (844) 937-7466.