Bright Ideas Tips

Simple habit changes, easy home improvements and smart buying can make a difference -- saving you both energy AND money. Look below for additional tips on how to use less and save more.

January
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Warm up to savings!

Turn down your thermostat while you sleep and save up to 10%!

Bright Idea: Use an ENERGY STAR®-certified smart thermostat to handle it automatically.

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Don't waste on space!

Drying bulky clothing this time of year is a common occurrence.

Bright Idea: Switch your laundry while the dryer is still warm. Its ambient heat can save you time and money!

February
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Prevent the cold water blues!

Check your hot water heater and pipes to maintain water temperature and save energy.

Bright Idea: Insulate hot water pipes and upgrade to an ENERGY STAR®-certified water heater!

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Warm up and save!

Did you know HVAC systems use forced air to circulate heat?

Bright Idea: Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan to help circulate warm your room faster and save you energy!

March
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Don’t wash away savings!

Did you know that up to 90% of energy used in a washing machine is to heat water?

Bright Idea: Wash clothes in cold water to save energy and money!

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Shine bright with energy savings!

Lighting accounts for roughly 15% of a home's energy use.

Bright Idea: Use natural lighting as much as possible, and LED bulbs when needed.

April
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Ready for warmer weather?

Despite its name, a heat pump can cool as well as it heats!

Bright Idea: Set to “heat” or “cool” to avoid increasing energy usage.

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Savings are nothing to sneeze at!

Air purifiers can be essential in the spring, especially for anyone with seasonal allergies.

Bright Idea: ENERGY STAR®-certified purifiers are up to 25% more efficient than standard models.

May
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Beat the peak!

Electricity rates can change based on time of day.

Bright Idea: Shift high-demand appliance usage to off-peak hours to save!

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Eliminate phantom energy!

Power strips come in handy when using multiple devices.

Bright Idea: Use smart power strips to eliminate phantom - or standby - energy usage.