Less energy wasted. More comfort at home. October is Energy Awareness Month — a great time to build small habits that can help lower your energy bill. Start with these five easy wins:
- Keep comfort in, drafts out. Add weatherstripping around drafty doors and caulk gaps around windows. Your heating and cooling system won’t have to work as hard.
- Give your thermostat a little nudge. When you’re running the heat, try a slightly lower setting that keeps everyone comfortable. Grab a sweater before turning it up.
- Wash cold. Dry less. Use cold water whenever clothing care instructions allow, wash full loads, and give your dryer a break with a drying rack. Less water heating and drying means less energy used.
- Light smarter. Replace your most-used incandescent bulbs with LEDs, and switch lights off when you leave a room. Small swaps can cut everyday energy waste.
- Make every dishwasher load count. Run full loads and choose air-dry instead of heated drying when available. Let your dishes dry without the extra energy.
Want to Go the Extra Mile?
- Upgrade with help. Planning to replace an aging water heater or heating system? Explore efficient heat pumps and use MCE’s Rebate & Incentive Finder to check available savings. Then visit MCE’s Contractor Finder to find local licensed professionals. Confirm rebate eligibility and availability before starting work.
- See if you qualify for free improvements. MCE’s Home Energy Savings program offers qualifying homeowners and renters no-cost home energy assessments and upgrades such as attic insulation and duct sealing.
- Save on timing, too. Run appliances before 4 p.m. or after 9 p.m. if those are lower-priced hours on your rate plan. Shifting use doesn’t necessarily reduce energy consumption, but it can help lower your bill. Explore MCE’s time-of-use tips.
Start with one change today. Keep the savings habits going all year.
