Contributed by Madison Gas and Electric
If we’re all energy efficient, we can save energy and money and be good stewards of the environment.
Below are some of the most common ways we all can reduce our energy use during the colder months.
• Fix air leaks: Make sure your home is adequately sealed to avoid air leaks. Latch windows and double check weather stripping around doors. Quality caulking and weather stripping can last for decades.
• If your attic has fewer than 7 inches of insulation, fix air leaks from thehouse into the attic and add more insulation. Failing to fix air leaks before re-insulating is a big mistake. Most air leaks come from attics, basements, kneewalls, and garages under living spaces.
• Use the “auto” setting on your thermostat: Use your thermostat to set the furnace fan to “auto” instead of “on” to avoid costs resulting from the fan running continuously.
• Also, lower the thermostat when sleeping and when away (55°F lowest setting). The longer your home is at a lower temperature, the more you save. Consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat to make saving energy more convenient!
• Adjust your curtains and blinds: Close them at night. This will keep the cold air from dispersing throughout your home. Open them during the day to allow the sun to warm the room.
• Adjust your water heater: Heating water can account for up to 25 percent of the energy used in your home. Turn down your water heater to 120°F to help save energy without making a noticeable impact.
• Consider a home energy assessment: MGE’s partner in energy efficiency, Focus on Energy, helps customers purchase a home energy assessment to help you identify which upgrades make sense for your home. See a brief video of a home energy assessment in Monona at energy2030together.com.
• Explore smart home technologies: Smart power strips, thermostats, lightbulbs, and switches make energy efficiency easy. Smart home technology can be automated and/or controlled remotely via a smartphone, tablet, or computer, putting control at your fingertips no matter where you are.
For more energy-saving information and brief videos of how new technologies can help meet your household’s energy goals, visit energy2030together.com.
Energy efficiency is a priority under MGE’s Energy 2030 framework for a more sustainable energy future. Let’s work together!
