Being smart about energy usage is simple. Just remember the acronym SMART. S – Set the thermostat on the highest comfortable setting. M – Move air in occupied rooms by using ceiling fans. A – Adjust your water heater. R – Repair “hot spots.” T – Turn on the outdoor grill.
Set the thermostat higher. When temperatures rise, air conditioners have to work harder. The air conditioner unit is typically the largest user of electricity in your home. Set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher to maximize energy savings. Every degree the thermostat is set above 78 can save you 3-5 percent on cooling costs. Also, making the switch from a manual to a programmable thermostat could lead to energy cost savings of up to $180 per year. Remember to keep the air flowing freely by replacing system filters and ensuring nothing is blocking registers and returns.
Move air with a ceiling fan. A fan’s gentle breeze can help you feel several degrees cooler for a fraction of the cost of running an air conditioner. But remember – fans cool people, not rooms. Be sure to turn the fan off when leaving the room.
Adjust the water heater before leaving town. There’s no need to heat unused water. Plus, once turned back on, most models will reheat the water to the set temperature in about an hour. When at home, decreasing the water heater temperature from 140 degrees to 120 can help save up to $85 per year. A setting of 120 degrees is sufficient for most household needs.
Repair “hot spots.” High-performance windows can help to eliminate “hot spots” within the home. Installing energy-efficient windows can also help protect upholstery, wood and art from ultraviolet rays – keeping these items from fading while saving energy. Visit www.progress-energy.com/heip to find out how to receive a rebate of up to $450 on window upgrades through the Home Energy Improvement Program.
Turn on the grill. Using the oven on a hot summer day forces your air-conditioning unit to work harder, which can lead to higher electric bills. Choose to grill outdoors instead of bake and savor the sweet taste of energy savings. Managing your energy use starts with understanding how you use electricity. Get a free, personalized energy analysis of your home using Progress Energy’s Customized Home Energy Report. This online energy audit analyzes your home’s unique energy profile using information from your bill and generates a plan to help you become more energy efficient. The Customized Home Energy Report is available at www.progresscher.com. And don’t forget to take advantage of the many incentives offered by Progress Energy for energy efficiency purchases and improvements. From lighting to appliances to maintenance and upgrades that won’t break the bank, Progress Energy offers incentives to help you take control of your energy use and your monthly bill. These are just a few of the many things customers can do to use electricity wisely this summer. To find out more energy saving tips, visit www.SaveTheWatts.com. Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune 500 energy company with more than 22,000 megawatts of generation capacity and approximately $10 billion in annual revenues.
Progress Energy includes two major electric utilities that serve about 3.1 million customers in the Carolinas and Florida. The company has earned the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Award, the industry’s highest honor, in recognition of its operational excellence, and was the first utility to receive the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Founder’s Award for customer service. The company is pursuing a balanced strategy for a secure energy future, which includes aggressive energy-efficiency programs, investments in renewable energy technologies and a state-of-the-art electricity system.
Progress Energy celebrated a century of service in 2008. Visit the company’s website at www.progress-energy.com.
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