October Work/Life Line: Energy Efficiency Tips

09/23/13

NYSEG, a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, serves 878,000 electricity customers and 261,000 natural gas customers across more than 40% of upstate New York. These forms of energy NYSEG provide work to power the things in our homes. As the seasons change and we enter into the fall, it pays to be energy efficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the average U.S. household spends about $1,800 per year on home energy. As a homeowner, there are several measures you can take to control, or lower, your monthly utility bills. 

Below are some cost-efficient, energy saving tips to keep your bill down during cool fall months:

• Set Your Thermostat—Try not to keep the thermostat too high in the fall and winter. Energy experts recommend that you keep the thermostat around 72 degrees in the cooler months. For each degree you lower your thermostat you can save up to five percent on the heating portion of your energy bill.

• Seal Air Leaks— Your home may have small openings around doors and windows that allow for heat or cool air loss. You can prevent this by caulking or adding weather stripping around windows and doors. Doing this can reduce energy loss and protect your home from moisture damage.

• Insulate Your Space—Appropriate insulation can save you up to 30 percent on your heating bill. Insulation of your attic, floors, exterior walls, and crawl spaces can help prevent energy loss. Be sure to choose high-quality materials, and replace matted or torn insulation to maximize its effectiveness.

• Turn Down the Water Heater—Water heating can account for 14% to 25% of the energy consumed in your home. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.

• Use Energy-Saving Light Bulbs— These light bulbs last up to ten times longer than a normal bulb and use significantly less energy. A single 20- to 25-watt energy-saving bulb provides as much light as a 100-watt ordinary bulb.

Want to learn more? Check out our October Lunch n’ Learn, "All About Energy with NYSEG" on Wednesday, October 2nd from 12:00pm – 1:00pm in the Peggy R. Williams Center, HR Conference Room GL-52, where Sherry Nedrow, Customer Advocate at NYSEG, will discuss energy plans and options with NYSEG. RSVPs are appreciated to 274-8000 or e-mail benefits@ithaca.edu  

Work/Life: We believe in the integration of work and life outside of work.

Mind, Body, Me Members: This Lunch-and-Learn is worth 10 points.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Katie Sack at ksack@ithaca.edu or (607) 274-1208. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.

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