The new year is a great time to take a fresh look at how you can save energy. Start saving energy now with a few DIY steps and plan for ways to have greater energy savings in the future. 

Little Adjustment. Big Impact. 

• Now: Your home’s thermostat plays a big role in how much energy you use. On average, 35-45% of a home’s electric bill goes to heating and cooling. Set your thermostat to 68 degrees to save energy during the winter. As a rule of thumb, your heating cost will increase 3% for each degree above 68 degrees.
• Later: Make the switch to a smart thermostat to conserve energy. Smart thermostats customize heating and cooling based on your patterns and preferences. 

Use the Right Amount. 

• Now: Your dryer is a major energy user in your household. If your dryer is too full, it will take longer for clothes to dry. Loads that are too small can also use more energy than needed. So, use the right-sized loads to dry clothes and save energy. 
• Later: Consider switching to a newer ENERGY STAR-rated dryer that uses 20% less energy than conventional models. 

Be Water Wise.

• Now: On average, water heating accounts for 13% of the energy used in your home. Set the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees for energy efficiency. 
• Later: Shop for water heaters with higher tank insulation and a good warranty of 10 years or more.

Keep it Bright with LED Lightbulbs.

• Now: Switch from incandescent to LED lightbulbs. On average, LED bulbs use 25-80% less energy than traditional bulbs and last 3-25 times longer. 
• Later: Switch your most used incandescent bulbs to energy efficient LED lightbulbs. 

Eliminate Drafts.

• Now: Find potential air leaks in your home by using a ribbon. Hold the ribbon around window frames and around doors. If the ribbon moves, there’s an air gap. After identifying any air leaks, add caulking or weather stripping around doors and windows to eliminate air drafts. 
• Later: Request a home energy evaluation by Jackson EMC. A blower door test will depressurize your home to reveal the locations of leaks and determine which areas need more insulation. Visit jacksonemc.com/evaluation for details.