APPLIANCE AUDIT COULD HELP SAVE ENERGY, COSTS

The experts at the Westerville Electric Division are encouraging residents to sweep their homes for signs of inefficient appliances this fall.

Energy saved today can result in money saved later. The City purchases power from the market, however, other bill components like the cost of transmission are largely out of Westerville’s control. Those prices are based on, among other things, the highest peak consumption days in any given year. Inefficient appliances require much more energy to perform, they can have a real impact on your utility bill.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the top three uses of home electricity in 2020 were: 1. Space Cooling (16%) 2. Space Heating (14%) 3. Water Heating (12%)

SIMPLE STEPS TOWARD SMART CHANGES:

SPACE COOLING: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that residents can reduce air conditioning-related energy usage by up to 50% by switching to a high-efficiency product and taking other actions to lower cooling costs.

Did you know? Replacing clogged air filters can reduce your home’s energy consumption by up to 15%!

SPACE HEATING: Heating requires more energy than other home systems, accounting for about 42% of the average American utility bill. According to the DOE, Energy Star-rated smart thermostats save users an average of $50 per year.

Did you know? The City offers a rebate program for residents who use Nest programmable thermostats. Learn more at www.westerville.org/nest.

WATER HEATING: The average household spends between $400-$600 annually on water heating alone. Energy Star-certified electric storage water heaters can save the average family of four up to $3,500 over the lifespan of the appliance.

Did you know? The DOE says if all home water heaters were certified through the Energy Star program, emission levels equivalent to those from 15 million vehicles would be removed each year.

Learn more about how adjusting, replacing or simply maintaining appliances in these areas can help save money and energy consumption at www.energy.gov.

As a not-for-profit Public Power provider, the Westerville Electric Division is community-owned. Serving approximately 40,000 residents, the utility provider keeps a steady, forward-moving current of programs, creating opportunities for customers to save money and help protect the environment. Have a question about your household’s electricity usage? Call the Westerville Electric Division at (614) 901-6700.