INDIANA– The holidays are a time for family and celebration, but they often bring higher energy use as temperatures decline. To help customers stay energy smart, particularly during this week of cold temperatures across Indiana, Duke Energy is introducing ‘12 Days of Savings’ – simple energy efficiency tips designed to help customers save energy and money.
“It may not officially be winter yet, but cold weather has obviously arrived,” said Stan Pinegar, president, Duke Energy Indiana. “Our goal is to make it easy for customers to take small steps during the holidays that improve energy efficiency and deliver real savings.”
Below are practical habit changes, minor projects and programs that can make a meaningful difference in energy savings not just over the next 12 days, but all winter long.
- Use outside LED lights – including in your holiday lighting displays – that have combined photosensors sensors that turn off during the day.
- Replace your most frequently used indoor incandescent lightbulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs. ENERGY STAR®-qualified LEDs, for example, use 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs. Check out our online store for lighting options.
- Replace your air filter if needed and set a reminder to check it periodically to help your heating system run more efficiently and last longer. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Adjust your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting. The closer you match your thermostat to outdoor temps, the more you can save. Even a couple degrees make a difference.
- Leave blinds and/or curtains open during sunny winter days to allow the sun’s rays to warm your home but close them at night to help with insulation.
- Caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors and seal air leaks in duct work – it can save you up to 20% in heating costs.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees. Water heating is typically the second-biggest user of energy in your home.
- Insulate the pipes extending from your water heater, using foam pipe insulation on the first 6 feet for maximum savings.
- Check for cracks or deterioration of the seals on your refrigerator door and replace worn seals promptly. Try the dollar bill test to check the seal – close the door on a dollar bill and it should stay there without falling.
- Change ceiling fan settings to spin in a clockwise direction in the winter, which pushes warm air back down into the room. Most fans have a switch that allows you to reverse the motor.
- A free Home Energy House Call can help you identify simple ways to reduce energy use and increase efficiency. Participants receive free home efficiency products, such as weather stripping, caulking, low-flow showerheads and more, plus a personalized energy usage report with expert energy-saving advice. You may also learn if you qualify for rebates on efficiency upgrades. Schedule your assessment today to start saving.
- Sign up for usage alerts to track your energy usage and cost during the month so that you can make adjustments before the end of your billing cycle. You can watch a video on how to track your usage here.
For more information, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.
