Simple and inexpensive actions to help you save energy and money during the winter months.

Follow these tips to cut back on your energy use and cost.

Fix Leaks

Did you know about 50% of your electric bill goes to heating or cooling the air inside your home?
Make the most of your investment in comfort by keeping that conditioned air inside.  

Add weather stripping to areas where air leaks occur. 

Check the bottoms of doors to make sure thresholds are sealing when closed, if not, replace them.

Install foam gaskets behind electric outlets and switch plate covers on exterior walls. 

Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducts, or electrical wiring comes through walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits over cabinets.

Use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards, and other places where air may leak out.

Add weather stripping and insulation to attic access doors.

Temperature Control 

Did you know controlling your thermostat automatically or remotely with your smart phone could lower your heating and cooling bill?  Set it to adjust the temperature inside just before you arrive back home.

For maximum savings, we recommend setting your thermostat to 68° in the winter.

A programmable thermostat can save as much as 10% a year in energy costs. *Heat pumps must use compatible thermostats. Members can save on smart thermostats with an instant rebate from Jackson EMC Marketplace.

Maintain Your HVAC
(air conditioner/ heat pump) 

Check air filters each month. Replace them when they are dirty. Clean filters save 5-15% on your utility bill. 

HVAC technicians recommend semi-annual check-ups each spring and fall to ensure your system is operating at peak performance, and not costing you more money. Look at our participating contractor network to find an expert in your area www.jacksonemc.com/contractors.    

Jackson EMC has rebates for members who need to replace their heat pump. Learn more at www.jacksonemc.com/rebates. 

Run fans clockwise in winter to circulate warm air.

Use the fireplace sparingly. It draws the home’s heated air up the chimney. Make sure the damper is closed when not in use.

Don’t Overheat Your Water

Set the thermostat to 120°-130°.  (Be sure to turn off the breaker for the water heater before adjusting the temperature.)

Jackson EMC has rebates for members who need to replace their water heaters with new electric high efficiency models. Learn more at www.jacksonemc.com/rebates. 

Don’t Waste Hot Water

Did you know water heating accounts for up to 18% of the energy consumed in your home?

Check for water leaks. A faucet dripping hot water can add up over a period of time.

Replace old shower heads with new low flow devices. 

Wash clothes in cold water, or use warm water with a cold rinse cycle.

Run full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher.  

When you take a shower, use the bathroom fan to remove heat and humidity from your home.

Upgrade your washing machine. New washers use less than half the water of those made 20 years ago. 

Personal Home Energy Evaluation

For a thorough and accurate measurement of air leakage in your home, call 770-822-3211 to schedule a Personal Home Energy Evaluation. A blower door test, which depressurizes a home, can reveal the location of many leaks. An energy evaluation can also determine areas in your home that need more insulation. For more information, visit www.jacksonemc.com/evaluation.  

Up to $1,000 in rebates are available from Jackson EMC when using the Home Energy Evaluation. *Not available if you do not have this audit conducted by Jackson EMC and Home Diagnostic Solutions.

Learn how your home uses electricity

Did you know you can learn more about your home’s energy use with the Home Energy Monitor?

Using your account information this interactive program will provide personalized advice on how to save energy. Learn more at www.jacksonemc.com/monitor.   

Switch out light bulbs 

Did you know replacing outdated light bulbs with new CFL or LED bulbs will save energy? 

Install outdoor solar lights.

Switching from incandescent to CFL or LED bulbs can typically save up to $300 a year. Save $7 a year per CFL or $8 a year per LED in energy savings. Check out our lighting calculator.

More is not better. One 15-watt fluorescent bulb puts out roughly the same light as two 60-watt incandescent bulbs, but uses 20% less energy. 

Eliminate Energy Vampires

Did you know electronic equipment can use energy even when you are not using them? 

Vampire power is the electricity consumed by appliances plugged in when they’re switched off or in standby mode, but still plugged in. This can be up to 10% of the total electronics energy use in your home. Unplug devices not used frequently or use a power strip to turn off multiple devices at once.  

Utilizing the sleep function on your computer, rather than a screen saver, when you will be away for more than two hours has the potential to save up to $42.75 a year. This move cuts down the energy consumption and costs down to about $7.25 a year.

Save Energy, eliminate safety hazards 

Did you know there can be serious safety hazards around your home?

Check your dryer vent to be sure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire.

Cut back Energy use in the Kitchen

Did you know that cooking accounts for 4.5% of total energy use in U.S. homes?  And that figure doesn't include the energy associated with refrigeration, hot water heating, and dishwashing. Added together, that means that as much as 15% of the energy in the average American home is used in the kitchen.

The proper appliances, cookware and preparation can save time and energy in the kitchen.

Every time the door opens, the temperature in the oven drops by as much as 25 degrees, forcing it to work harder and (use more electricity) to get back to the proper cooking temperature. Check on a dish through the oven window instead.

Don't forget your slow cooker or your toaster oven, or warming plate. Putting small appliances to work more often can mean significant energy savings. For example, the average toaster oven can use up to half the energy of the average electric stove over the                 same cooking time. 

Microwaves are good for more than popcorn. Use this energy saver to steam veggies, heat soups and even cook casseroles. 

When cooking on the stove top, using the right size pan matters. Placing a 6" pan on an 8" electric burner wastes more than 40% of the heat produced by the burner. Also consider covering your pans as you cook. It makes the food cook faster and keeps the kitchen cooler.

If possible, prepare double portions of your meal and cook them together. Freeze the extra for later. It takes a lot less energy to reheat food than to cook it twice. Using a microwave can use as much as 80% less energy when reheating than a standard oven.

If your refrigerator is pushed against the wall, pulling it forward one inch can reduce energy usage by as much as 40%. 

Unplugging the extra refrigerator or freezer at your home can save hundreds of dollars in just a few years. If that appliance is in a room with an uncontrolled temperature (garage or carport) you’re paying even more because the temperature outside is causing that appliance to work even harder. 

DIY Energy Projects 

Videos and Step-by-Step Instructions help you tackle projects. 

We’ll show you how to complete many of these tasks with step-by-step videos at www.jacksonemc.com/diy-energy-projects.