12 Days of Energy Savings: Tips to save you money and energy this holiday
December 3, 2020
Why not treat yourself this holiday season? Get into the energy-saving spirit and lower your energy bill with tips for “12 Days of Energy Savings.”
Day 1: Lower your holiday lighting cost
Replace conventional incandescent holiday lights with LEDs. LED holiday lights typically consume 70% less energy. They’re also more durable and generate less heat compared to traditional incandescent light strands.
Day 2: Use advanced power strips
Many types of electronics including mobile phone chargers, computers and printers continue to draw electricity while they are plugged in and turned off. Investing in advanced power strips can reduce wasted energy without having to worry about unplugging all your devices.
Day 3: Run full dishwasher loads
Your dishwasher uses a great deal of energy, especially for heating water.
Day 4: Open curtains during the day to bring in the sun’s free heat
Close window coverings when the sun goes down to keep the heat in.
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Inspect and replace the caulking and weather-stripping around all windows and doors.
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Check ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner or heat pump to make sure there are no leaks, which often is a cause of energy waste.
Day 6: Install a smart thermostat
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Treat yourself this holiday season! A smart thermostat remembers the temperatures you like, turns itself down when you’re away and can be controlled from anywhere using your phone, tablet or laptop.
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Get an instant rebate of $75 if you purchase a qualifying smart thermostat at ComEd Marketplace.
Day 7: Take advantage of the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program
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Get a free in-person or virtual home energy assessment, receive rebates on qualifying ENERGY STAR® certified appliances, smart thermostats and save instantly with in-store discounts on LED bulbs.
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Businesses are also eligible for free in-person or virtual facility assessments that offer recommendations on energy-saving projects and identify available incentives.
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When you request an in-person assessment, whether for your home or business, your ComEd representative will wear personal protective equipment and practice social distancing.
Day 8: Create a free online account at ComEd.com/MyAccount
Access hour-by-hour and day-by-day energy-usage information to learn how much energy you use and when. By answering a few simple questions, you can learn what uses the most energy and get customized energy-saving tips to save.
If the filter looks dirty, change it. A dirty filter will slow airflow and make your furnace work harder to keep your home warm, wasting energy. Furnace filters should be changed at least once every three months.
Day 10: Adjust the temperature
Lower your manual or programmable thermostat 7 to 10 degrees during the winter when you leave your home for eight or more hours. You could save up to 10% on heating costs. For even more control over the temperature in your home, purchase a smart thermostat.
This includes powering down your Christmas tree when you’re out. In an average home, lighting accounts for nearly 12% of electricity costs. Turning lights off when you’re not in the room is a simple way for you to make a dent in your utility bill.
Day 12: Clear area around heating and cooling vents
Furniture, carpets and other objects like holiday decorations, can block vents and prevent heated or cooled air from traveling. This blockage makes your heating or cooling system work harder and prevents rooms from warming up or cooling down quickly.
