Holiday Conservation Tips

’Tis the season when temperatures drop and energy use typically picks up. From holiday lights and seasonal baking to drafty windows, the little things start to add up. Take advantage of these easy tips to save on your bill throughout the winter months.

LED holiday lights use up to 80% less energy than old incandescents. They are also safer because they emit less heat!

Bundle up before you turn it up. Additional clothing may be all you need to stay cozy.

Replace or clean your furnace filters: Clogged filters can make your heating equipment work harder.  Don’t forget to have your heating system serviced regularly to maintain the most efficiency.

Turn off the lights when you leave a room. If you want to kick it up to the next level, consider installing occupancy sensors around your home or business that will automatically shut off the lights after a certain period of inactivity.

Seal gaps around windows and doors with caulk or weatherstripping to help keep heat in.

To save energy while holiday cooking, use smaller appliances like toaster ovens, slow cookers and microwaves. Cook multiple dishes in the oven at once, and avoid opening the oven door frequently.

On those rare, warm and sunny winter days, consider opening your curtains to help capture a little solar heat. Be sure to close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.

Cover drafty windows using a heavy duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of window frames. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly.

Visit snopud.com/rebates to see current rebates on weatherization and heating projects.

Curious to see where your home sits on energy efficiency? Watch this video to learn how to conduct your own home energy assessment to identify key areas for improvement: https://youtu.be/YolBP0-vkBU