SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE this season

By Pat McGonagle, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Energy Cooperative is here to help you find ways to manage home energy and keep your winter bills in check. Here are five simple tips to help you save energy and money while still being able to enjoy the comfortability of your home with family and friends this holiday season.

Use energy efficient holiday lights

When you are decorating your home this holiday season, be sure to use LED lights. It costs $0.27 to light a 6-foot tree for 12 hours a day for 40 days, compared to $10 for incandescent lights.

Use timers for lights and outdoor decorations

Timers are a great way to save money while keeping your home festive and bright. A basic dusk to dawn timer controls your lights in hour increments, or you can upgrade to a smart switch and control the times from your phone. Whatever timer you chose, consider leaving your lights on for no more than six hours a day to maximize energy savings.

Use your fireplace wisely

Fireplaces come in many forms. Each one of them can cost you additional money on your Energy Cooperative bill.

• Woodburning: Remember to close your fireplace damper when you are not burning a fire. Keeping the damper open causes drafts and heat loss throughout your home.

• GasFireplace: A standard 20,000 BTU gas fireplace uses about 20 cubic feet of natural gas per hour. Given the price of natural gas is about $1.11 per 100 cubic feet based on the national average, running a standard-sized gas fireplace will cost about $0.22/hour.

• ElectricFireplace: Operating an electric fireplace costs the same as running an electric space heater. Both typically use 1500 watts (1.5 kilowatts) to run. With a cost of $0.13 per kilowatt hour based on the national average, the unit cost approximately $0.20/hour to operate.

Reduce hot water use

Water heating is the second largest energy expense in your home, accounting for about 18% of your bill. Start by checking the temperature of your water heater. For most uses, you will want your water heated to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures can be dangerous for young children and older adults. You can save hot water (and money) by setting your dishwasher to run shorter cycles and putting your clothes washer on cold water. Encourage your guests to do the same

Winter months often bring the highest energy bills of the year. By being proactive about saving energy, you can increase the comfort of your home and reduce your monthly bill. Visit our for additional energy-