The start of a new year inspires us to create new habits. Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) wants to help customers succeed with simple and practical energy-saving habits that fit their everyday life and 2026 goals.

Below are popular resolutions and how you can incorporate energy-saving practices to help you save energy and possibly money on your monthly bill.

Resolution: “I want to exercise more.”

Solution: If you work out at home, use non-electric equipment like resistance bands, kettlebells and free weights. You can schedule your work out when natural light is best and you’re less likely to need a fan or air conditioning. If you choose to use a ceiling fan, make sure it’s running the right direction for the season - counterclockwise during the summer, and clockwise during the winter.

Resolution: “I’d like to eat and prepare more meals at home.”

Solution: If possible, use appliances other than your oven to prepare food. Microwaves and slow cookers can use 75% less energy than a large electric oven. Also, with cooking comes dirty dishes. Run the dishwasher only with full loads. The difference in energy cost between two loads per week and four loads per week can amount to $30–$40 per year.

Resolution: “I plan to spend more time with family and friends.”

Solution: If you decide to host family and friends more in 2026, lower the thermostat to account for the crowd. Set the temperature to a lower setting to help save energy and eliminate extra heat for guests. In the summer, use a ceiling fan to help circulate air throughout your space.

Resolution: “I would like to budget and save money.”

Solution: A simple way to avoid high bills is to track your energy use. I&M customers with a smart meter can review their Weekly Energy Update (WEU). The report shows what times and how you use energy in your home. To access your unique report, log into your I&M account and navigate to Account Settings. You can also select to be notified of a high bill alert.

I&M also offers several payment programs depending on your budget. You can enroll in the AutoPay program where bills are paid automatically with a secure payment directly from your bank account each month. Another option is I&M’s Average Monthly Payment (AMP) plan which allows you to spread out energy costs over the entire year, making payments about the same each month. Customers can log in to their account and see what their monthly payment will be. If the program and amount work, accept the terms and click “Enroll.” Customers can also set up or manage the Autopay option through their I&M account.

Don’t have an online account? Visit the account page on our website to register with an active email address along with phone number, address or account number.

For additional energy-savings information, visit ElectricIdeas.com/Home or to find program information and additional ways to save, visit IndianaMichiganPower.com/Savings.