Jun 21, 2023 | Energy Efficiency
Welcome back, summer! It’s the season for enjoying the sun and relaxing outdoors. However, this also tends to be the time when home energy use begins to soar. Increased use of air conditioners and other household appliances can elevate energy use, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Here are five easy tips to save energy and money this summer with almost no effort!
1. A simple way to save energy in your washing routines.
Instead of pre-rinsing your dishes, simply dispose of any leftover food, pop them into the machine and wait until you have a full load before running the dishwasher. Apply this same “full load” method to your laundry routine and you’ll save tons of water and energy.
2. Sometimes it’s okay to put off daily chores.
Maximize your time in the sun by saving chores for later in the evening. Avoid running major appliances during the day when it’s hottest outside. Instead, consider running them at night when temperatures are cooler. This will keep your house cooler and boost energy efficiency.
3. Make a bake-off trade-off.
Skip the oven and use the microwave instead. Not only are microwaves more energy efficient, but your house will stay much cooler than if you fired up the oven. Microwaves use up to 80% less energy than conventional ovens, so it’s a great way to save on your energy bill and keep indoors cooler at the same time.
4. Let a smart thermostat do the work.
Use a smart thermostat to control your heating and cooling. An ENERGY STAR® smart thermostat will learn your habits and adjust the temperature for you, saving you an average of $50 per year on your energy bills. Pay less for your thermostat when you buy it on the PPL Online Marketplace.
5. Keep the sunlight (and heat) on the outside.
Close curtains or blinds for any windows that receive direct sunlight throughout the day. Keeping window coverings closed will reduce heat in your home and lessen the need for A/C. This is a simple and effective way to save energy and keep your home comfortable during the summer months.
By following these simple tips, you can keep your home cool, save energy and still enjoy all that summer has to offer.
May 12, 2023 | Energy Efficiency
During this time of year, it’s nice to be able to hold off using your air conditioning when you can, but as temperatures fluctuate, hotter days may call for a few new ideas to keep things cool. We’ve put together seven effortless ways you can beat the heat on warmer days while still being mindful about energy savings and when to run your A/C system.
1. Set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise
In warmer months, switch your ceiling fans to a counterclockwise rotation. (Check to see if there is a small toggle switch on the fan’s base. For remote-controlled fans, check your remote for a “REV” button.) Since heat rises, this helps push hot air down to create a cool breeze that can reduce room temperatures by about 4 degrees. It also can help keep a room’s temperature consistent throughout the day, so once you do turn on your A/C, it will help cut down on how much your system must run.
2. Get a cross breeze going
Let nature work for you. Open windows on opposite sides of your house to create a beautiful cross breeze. NOTE: If it’s hotter outside than inside and there is no breeze, close all windows and use tip #3.
3. Close your curtains or shades
For windows that take a direct hit from the sun, close your curtains and/or shades during the most intense times of the day. Windows let heat enter your home, so this simple suggestion is a great way to keep the cool in and the heat out. On days when temperatures are cooler, you can open those curtains to let sunlight and warmth in.
4. Close doors to unused rooms
This keeps any cross breeze moving more efficiently throughout the areas of your home you use the most. It is one of the easiest ways to help your living space stay cooler.
5. Limit use of your stove, dishwasher and dryer during the day
These appliances heat up your home fast. Run your dishwasher and dryer after the sun goes down.
6. Position fans low to the ground
If you have portable room fans, make sure they are in a corner and low. This helps circulate cooler air throughout the room. (Cool air is denser so it’s closer to the ground.)
7. Use a dehumidifier
While dehumidifiers don’t technically cool a room, they do remove moisture from hot air. This makes a room feel cooler by drying the air, which not only makes it more comfortable but healthier as well. Find ENERGY STAR® certified humidifiers for your home on our website.
Remember, heat stroke is serious. Please don’t push yourself to the point of overheating. Use your A/C when you need it! And stay inside during the hottest hours of the day.
Mar 31, 2023 | Energy Efficiency
Celebrate this Earth Day by saving energy in your home. These easy activities can help you save energy and money, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our climate for years to come.
Here are some ideas for simple ways to conserve energy and money around the clock that you can take advantage of this Earth Day — or every day.
Click to expand
There are many easy ways you can celebrate Earth Day by saving energy in your home. One helpful activity is to check air filters to make sure your heating and cooling system is running as efficiently as possible. Nearly half the energy used in your home is due to heating and cooling, according to ENERGY STAR®1, so swapping out an old air filter to make your system run more efficiently can make a real difference.
Here are more Earth Day activity highlights:
- You can get discounts on things like smart thermostats on our online marketplace, as well as rebates on large appliances when they need to be replaced.
- You’ve helped us recycle nearly 44,000 refrigerators since 2017, saving energy, lowering electric bills and reducing greenhouse gases. You can schedule an appointment or attend a drop-off event here.
- You can tour a virtual house and find energy-saving tips for every room at savewithppl.com.
1. ENERGY STAR Heating and Cooling Webpage
Dec 19, 2022 | Energy Efficiency
’Tis the season for swirling snowflakes, hot cocoa and decorations. This year, as you hang your holiday lights, we’d like to offer a few ideas to make them even brighter, and to help you save a few dollars while you’re at it.
For starters, if you haven’t replaced your traditional incandescent holiday lights with energy-efficient LED strands, this is the year to do it. Not only do LEDs consume less electricity, but they’re also made to be safer and sturdier. If you purchase ENERGY STAR® decorative bulbs, some have a manufacturer warranty of up to three years. They’re also a cinch to install.
Here’s the best part — many holiday LED strands don’t just shine brighter, but they also come in a wide array of changeable colors and patterns that can be synced to music.
Magnify the shine
Making the switch to holiday LEDs isn’t the only way to save energy this time of year. Once the lights are strung, here are a couple of other ideas. First, try amplifying the light by adding sparkle — hang small, mirrored objects that will catch the glow and reflect it. That way, you can get a brighter feel without adding extra lights. Next, cozy up the place by adding natural garlands, wreaths and ribbons, which don’t require any energy beyond your own.
Timing’s everything
Finally, use energy-efficient smart power strips and timers to automatically turn displays on and off, inside and out.
P.S. Decorate cookies, too.
Once the house is spruced, take some time to decorate some no-bake cookies. You can keep the holiday energy up, while keeping the oven off. And remember, when the guests arrive to see your décor, turn the thermostat down a degree or two as more warm bodies in the house will naturally raise the temperature. Pretty cool, huh?
There you have it. The makings of a brilliant holiday.
You can find discounted LED lightbulbs, smart power strips and more on our online marketplace.
Sep 30, 2022 | Energy Efficiency
It’s Energy Awareness Month! We could all use a few extra dollars these days. That’s why we’ve created a new interactive digital home tool so you can find the savings hiding in your home. Go ahead and explore. Click. Swipe. Rotate. You’ll discover rebates, offers and hacks to make your savings really add up. Now hop in, start saving and discover hundreds of dollars in rebates.
Let’s keep things simple with energy–saving tips that are easy to do and easy on your wallet. Here are just a few ways to save energy in your home, from your kitchen to your living room and every room in between.
Make the switch. Flip the switch.
It sounds simple, but if you haven’t made the switch to LED lightbulbs, you’re leaving money on the table. LEDs may look more expensive at the cash register, but they pay off. They have the same brightness as traditional bulbs, but they use 90% less energy and can save you up to $75 a year in electricity costs. Plus, they last 35 times longer than traditional bulbs.
Get a thermostat with a higher
When the temperature outside fluctuates, it’s easy to forget to change your inside thermostat — or to know what temperature to change it to. A smart thermostat can help. These devices automatically adjust based on your behavior, your preferences, and the current temperature. And you can change your thermostat from anywhere using a mobile app. Install a smart thermostat and you could save up to $50 a year in energy costs. We even offer rebates up to $100 to get you started.
You may be leaking money
Keep warm air from escaping your home this winter by installing weatherstripping. Even the smallest gaps can lead to big leaks. You could save up to 15% on your energy bill when you weatherstrip your leaky doors and windows. Check out tips on how to track down air leaks on our blog.
Save now. Save later.
If the refrigerator in your kitchen — or even the one in your garage — was made before 1993, we’ve got bad news and good news. The bad news? You’re probably using twice the energy you need. The good news? We’ll pay you $50 for that energy monster and haul it away for free so you can upgrade to an ENERGY STAR® certified refrigerator. For more information on ways to save — including tips, tools and rebates — and to check out our new virtual energy efficiency home tour, visit savewithppl.com.
