With the winter months approaching, how can I save money through energy efficiency in my home or rental property? Let us define what conservation is and what is energy efficiency. Energy conservation involves using less energy by adjusting our behaviors and habits. It is the decision and practice of using less energy, for example turning off the light when leaving a room, unplugging appliances when not in use and walking instead of driving.
Energy Efficiency is the use of less energy to perform the same task or produce the same results using advanced technology. Energy-efficient homes and buildings use less energy to heat, cool and run appliances and electronics.
First step, if you are a National Gird Gas customer, you have already paid for an energy audit through your monthly gas bill. If you have not had an energy audit completed, then you have thrown away both ways to make your home more efficient and services you have not received. We all hate wasting money. National Grid customers call MA Save today and schedule your home energy audit. Here is their contact information: 1-866-527-save (7283) or contact via email Mass Save | Home Energy Assessments. The savings are significant from weatherizing your home to installation of air source heat pumps.
I am on oil or propane, is there anything available for me?
Yes, we offer a robust list of energy efficient rebates. Please go to our website Home – Merrimac Light Department go to forms and click on appliance rebate. Upgrading your appliances, especially the old refrigerator in the basement will save money overall.
Here are additional Conservation Tips:
When was the last time you had your heating and colling system tune-ups? These tune-ups ensure that you are heating and cooling system will operate at their maximum efficiency and will help to extend their working lives well into the future. If your system has filters, twice a year they should be replaced but consider changing them with each season (four times per year) to maintain air quality and system efficiency.
Do you still wash dishes by hand? Utilizing a dishwasher to clean your dishes each day is more water and energy efficient than cleaning them by hand. This means that your water heater heats less water, and you use less water overall.
Leaky windows and doors waste energy? Ensuring that the weather stripping on your doors and windows of your home is in good condition will help prevent unwanted drafts into your home, improving your overall comfort and reducing the total energy required to heat (or cool) your home.
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