Energy saving at home

By Jane George, Regional Affairs Director, PPL Electric Utilities

It’s been a whole year since the pandemic shifted our daily activities, interactions, and the way we work and attend school. We have some tried-and-true tips that will help you save energy and money no matter how much longer we’re all staying safe at home.

In the kitchen

Here are a few of our favorite ENERGY STAR® tips, to help you save energy as you prepare those delicious home-cooked meals.

Let there be light: Make sure all your light fixtures have LEDs, which use less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs. And here’s an easy one: When you leave the kitchen, turn off the lights. 

Clear the vents: Make sure all your air registers or floor vents are clear of furniture so the air can circulate freely. If your home has radiators, place heat-resistant reflectors between the radiators and walls.  

Scrape to save: You can save water by scraping your dishes clean instead of rinsing them before placing them in the dishwasher. And, only run the dishwasher when it’s full.  

Flip the fridge: Older refrigerators can use 20% more energy than ENERGY STAR® certified models. So, if your fridge is a relic, consider an upgrade. Also, if you have an old refrigerator running in the garage or basement, think about making a change. 

Fix those faucets: Hot water leaking at a rate of one drop per second can waste up to $35 in electricity per year. Plus, leaks obviously waste water and, let’s be honest, can be annoying. Fix those faucets and save!  

Electronics

Taking these simple steps to make your home more energy efficient can save you money whether you’re working from home or back to business as usual. 

Screensaver = energy waster. Your computer and monitor are still fully powered when a screen saver turns on. Save energy by enabling sleep mode on these devices or shut them down when you’re not using them. 
 
Use power strips. Household electronics tend to draw small amounts of power when they’re on standby mode. Power strips make it easy to power down your workstation with the flip of a switch. Smart power strips sense and cut power when electronics go into standby mode. It’s a small investment that could save you money in the long run.  
 
Let the light in. Keep the blinds and curtains in your home open. Letting more sun in will help keep your home warm so your heating system doesn’t have to work quite as hard. Plus, natural light from your windows is great for showing your face on all those video calls. 
For more energy saving tips, visit savewithppl.com