With a few simple projects, you can boost your home’s energy efficiency, cut down on your utility bills and make a positive impact on the planet.
From sealing drafty windows to installing a smart thermostat, our easy-to-follow videos and tips will have you tackling home upgrades like a pro. Plus, you’ll save money that you can spend on the things that matter most—like family, friends and fun.
And don’t forget to visit our Online Marketplace for great deals on all the supplies you’ll need to get started.
Seal in comfort and save like a pro
Keep the winter drafts outside where they belong. A window insulation kit is the perfect solution to help keep your home warm and lower your energy bill. –
Step 1 – Clean the window to prepare for installation. –
Step 2 – Apply the double-stick tape around the edges. –
Step 3 – Attach the film to one side, pulling it tight while leaving 4–6 inches of extra material. –
Step 4 – Use a hair dryer to shrink the film, creating a snug fit. It’s that simple!
Want some pro advice?
Make sure to clean your windows all the way to the edges with window cleaner. The tape will stick better, providing a tighter seal. Plus, you’ll have a nicer view!
Keep the air outside from coming inside
Is your window caulking starting to peel and crack? Replacing it not only keeps the cold air out, but also keeps moisture and bugs from getting in. –
Step 1 – Tools: You’ll need two tubes of caulk, a tube gun, a utility knife, a glove, sandpaper and a towel. –
Step 2 – Prep: Wipe down the window surface, remove the old caulk with your knife and sand off any leftover material. –
Step 3 – Application: Cut the tip off the caulk tube, leaving a small hole. Apply continuous pressure along the window seam and then smooth the bead with your glove.
Here’s a pro tip
Start out by cutting a small tip off the caulk tube. If needed, you can always increase it to the desired size.
Let your thermostat do the work
Ready to install your new smart thermostat? Most brands share the same basic setup, but you may want to check your model’s instructions or find a contractor. –
Step 1 – Turn off the power at the circuit breaker, and if in doubt, turn off all the power. If you feel uncomfortable working with electricity, hire a contractor to install your thermostat. –
Step 2 – Take the faceplate off and snap a photo of the wires to help you reconnect them later. –
Step 3 – Remove the old baseplate and install the new one. Use a level to make sure it’s even. –
Step 4 – Reference the instructions from the manufacturer and attach the wires by matching corresponding colors or labels. –
Step 5 – Attach the smart thermostat, then flip breakers back on to make sure the thermostat has power. –
Step 6 – Connect your smart thermostat to your Wi-Fi network and set the temperature by following the manufacturer instructions for your model.
Save more with pro-level DIY energy tips
Tip #1
LED lightbulbs can last up to 25 times longer than incandescent ones. But they’re not all the same, so check the label. –
Look for Brightness. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the bulb. Brightness used to be measured in watts, but it’s now measured in lumens. –
Check the Estimated Yearly Energy Cost, allowing you to compare savings between different bulbs. –
Look under Life to see how long the bulb might last before it needs to be replaced. –
Check Light Appearance. A low number means the light is warm, while a higher number means it is cooler. –
Finally, check Energy Used to find out how many watts the bulb uses.
Tip #2
Electronics that draw power even when shut off can add up to about $200 in annual energy costs for the average home. Save energy and money with an advanced power strip—all you do is plug it in!
Use a power strip for electronics such as your computer, tablet, gaming system and cellphone. –
Plug in your TV, cable box, DVD player and sound system to a power strip.
We all want to find ways to save money and increase our home’s comfort.With a home energy audit, your selected contractor will provide a detailed reportlisting all the energy-saving upgrades that canhelp make your home more energy efficient.Let us help you check all the boxes when it comes to saving energy.
Want to see for yourself what happens during a home energy audit? Watch our video below to see how easy it is to start saving.
Why is a home energy audit important?
Energy savings: All of our recommended contractors are BPI-certified. They identify areas of energy waste so you can make improvements that will help lower your electric bill over time.
Improved comfort: Drafts and temperature variations are common factors that reduce comfort in your home. Uncovering air leaks and insulation issues during your audit can help.
Environmental impact: Saving energy reduces your carbon footprint and helps conserve resources.
Increased property value: An energy-efficient home increases its resale value by offering buyers potential savings on energy bills. It also enhances comfort levels, ultimately making your home more desirable, which could raise its selling price.
Access to incentives:If you have electric heat and central A/C, you will receive a $350 rebate on the cost of the home audit. If you have electric heat OR central A/C, you will receive $200 off. Your contractor will make you aware of our rebates and available tax credits and then confirm final pricing. If you’re eligible for a rebate, they will automatically deduct it from the cost of your audit. It’s that simple!
What can I expect during my audit?
During your home energy audit, a certified contractor will evaluate your home from top to bottom and identify areas for improvement, checking your equipment, appliances, windows and doors. They’ll perform a blower door test that exaggerates the pressure in your home to help identify air leaks and may use an infrared camera to look for where air could be escaping. The whole audit usually takes about 2–3 hours to complete, depending on the size of your home.
After the inspection, your contractor will prepare a report with ideas on how you can save energy and money. It may also include the costs and potential savings of any upgrades you make. And as a bonus, you’ll receive energy-saving products like LED bulbs, which can shine a light on those sneaky places to save!
Did you know?
The average home leaks about the same amount of air as a 2-foot-square hole. That’s like leaving a window wide open 24 hours a day!
Still have questions?
Watch our video to hear a contractor answer some of the most common questions. You can also skip ahead to find the one you’re looking for or check out the FAQ section below.
FAQ
Q: Why do some homeowners want a home energy audit?
A: Reasons range from a second story that is too hot to an energy bill that is too high.
Q: How do I know if a home energy audit is right for me?
A: Conducting an in-home audit is the best way to find out what opportunities your home has to save energy and money.
Q: What does the home energy audit process look like?
A: After meeting with you about your concerns, your contractor will walk through the home from top to bottom and look for any areas where air may be escaping.
Q: Why do you use a thermal camera during the audit?
A: The thermal camera is a great tool to help the contractor see the temperature differences in your home.
Q: What is a blower door test used for?
A: The blower door test helps the contractor focus on areas of your home that are leaking air and wasting energy.
Q: What are some easy fixes to make after the audit?
A: Adding more insulation is one of the simplest ways to make your home more energy efficient.
Q: Will I get a report of all the audit’s findings?
A: Yes! A detailed report will be emailed to you with all of the contractor’s findings and recommendations for energy efficiency improvements.
Ready to uncover energy savings in your home? Start today by finding a contractor in your area at pplelectric.com/homeaudit.
Not interested in an audit because you rent your home? Get tips on how you can still lower your energy bills at SaveWithPPL.com.
When it comes time to replace that old appliance,you’llprobably be checking for the best price. Before that, look for the most efficient option—because it’s not just about what it costs to buy, but how much it’s going to cost each year for you to use.
Today, many new appliances are designed with breakthrough technologies that can make your life easier and more sustainable,while saving you energy and money.
Discover the best appliance innovations of 2024
Find this year’s top appliances to help you save energy while increasing the value of your home at ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2024. Plus, with the added power of the rebate finder, your savings get even better.
Here are just some ways today’s advanced appliances can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.
Refrigerators are getting smarter
ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators come with high-efficiency compressors that create less heat and use less energy—plus improved insulation helps your food stay fresh longer. Temperature and defrost controls also operatemore efficiently.We offer a $50 rebate on your purchase and another $50 for recycling your old fridge, making it the perfect time to make the switch!
Leave the dishwashing to us
ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers improve performance with soil sensors, water filtration, efficient jets, and dish rack designs that reduce energy and water consumption. An ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher could save you $3,200 over its lifetime compared to handwashing your dishes.
Come clean with energy efficiency
ENERGY STAR clothes washers use a variety of methods to lift and tumble your laundry, preserving the life of your favorite items. And because they’re so gentle, many models can safely clean silk, wool and other hand-washables. Without a bulky agitator, there’s also more usable space, meaning fewer loads of laundry each week.
Heat up your savings
In winter, heat pumps pull heat from the outside to warm your home. And in the summer, they work like a standard air conditioner by absorbing unwanted heat on the inside and transferring it outside. Modern heat pumps can provide heating for approximately a third of the cost of traditional electric baseboard heating and approximately half of the cost of oil heat. Our rebates of up to $450 on air source heat pumps make heating and cooling your home more efficiently even more affordable.
Cool off with ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioners can use approximately 20% less energy. Theycome with higher–quality insulation, providing a better seal of the area between the unit and the window. We offer a $10 rebate for each working room A/C when you recycle two or more units. Schedule a free pickup and we’ll haul them away to be responsibly recycled.
Get comfortable with less humidity
New, more efficient dehumidifier models can use 13% less energy compared to older models. We offer a $25 rebate when you purchase a new dehumidifier that has earned an ENERGY STAR rating. Plus, we offer a $10 rebate for each working dehumidifier or room A/C when you recycle two or more units.
Monitor your savings
Monitors that have earned the ENERGY STAR rating are about 7% more energy efficient than standard models. ENERGY STAR certified monitors meet stringent energy efficiency requirements in on, off, and sleep settings. Here’s a tip: To create the best energy savings, set your monitor to dim first, then enter a low–power sleep mode when the computer is inactive.
Choose the best in energy efficiency
To see this year’s top appliances, visit ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2024. By choosing ENERGY STAR appliances, you’re not just upgrading your home, you’re making an investment in long-term savings. For more tips and resources, visit SaveWithPPL.com.
Everyone is gaming. From racing to role playing, the whole family is powering up.
Playing on a gaming console?
Avoid streaming media on your gaming system—it uses 15 times more energy than your digital media player and four times more energy than a traditional cable box or satellite.
Don’t wait to update! Some software updates can help lower your gaming energy use by over 65%.
Here are some more tips to help you save energy:
Review console settings: Adjust in-game graphics settings to find the right balance between performance and energy usage. Lowering graphics quality can significantly reduce power consumption and may make your computer cooler as well.
Check your power supply: For best efficiency and value, look for an 80 Plus-rated power supply that is gold level, according to PC Magazine. An 80 Plus rating guarantees that the power supply will achieve a minimum of 80% efficiency. Here are some that meet the criteria:
Unplug your console: Set your computer to turn off when you’re away from the keyboard—or if you aren’t going to use your console for a while, simply unplug it. If using a PC, schedule software updates during the day while you’re using your computer in other ways.
Use an advanced power strip: Watch for accessories that may still be plugged in and draining energy. Purchasing an advanced power strip from our Online Marketplace can help control your energy consumption.
Turn off your controllers: Some consoles allow you to turn off controllers after a set time of inactivity. If that’s not an option, simply turn off your controllers when you stop playing.
See how small changes can add up to big savings. Learn more at SaveWithPPL.com.
Summer is always a fun time to get family and friends together to share some great-tasting food. Why not skip cooking in a hot kitchen and grill outside? It’san easy way to save energy and money.
Serving no-bake desserts is another way to enjoy the party. You’re not only saving time, you’re also helping to keep your home cool and lower appliance energy costs.
It all adds up! Spend less on energy so you can spend more on what matters most.
Here are some of our summer favorites to get you started.
Grilled Texan chicken
Step 1 – Ingredients
¼ cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon dried tarragon
¼ teaspoon pepper
4 boneless chicken breasts
Combine ingredients in a dish to marinate.
Step 2 – Drain and grill uncovered over medium heat, turning once, for 8–12 minutes—or until a thermometer reads 165°F.
(We made it. Check it out above!)
No-bake yogurt and fruit tart
Step 1 – Make your favorite no-bake crust, such as date, graham cracker, etc., and press into pan.
Step 2 – Spread 1 cup of your favorite flavored Greek yogurt over the crust.
Step 3 – Add a variety of fruit toppings. Get creative!
(We made it. Check it out above!)
Grilled chocolate chip cookies
Step 1 – Gather the following ingredients:
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Step 2 – Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.
Step 3 – Cream the butter, brown sugar and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Beat in vanilla, then eggs one at a time, scraping down bowl as needed.
Step 4 – Add dry ingredients until just combined. Add chocolate and refrigerate dough in an airtight container at least 2 hours.
Step 5 – Form dough into golf-ball-size rounds and place on a large sheet of foil, leaving 2 inches between cookies. Flatten partially with your palm.
Step 6 – Set grill at medium heat (325°F to 375°F), transfer cookies to rack, close and grill for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
(We made it. Check it out above!)
For more tips, tools and programs to help you saveenergy at home, visit SaveWithPPL.com.
