It is time to exchange the beach bag for a backpack because school is back in session. Summer days are behind us as we now adjust to a new school year with a different routine for the entire house. 

As houses sit emptier during the day and homework carries late into the night, we discover our new routines might not be utilizing energy as efficiently. By incorporating simple practices, such as those below, you can save energy and potentially save on your monthly bill.

Adjust your thermostat. If your house will be empty much of the day, raise the thermostat to about 78 degrees as you leave. By keeping it on and raising the setting, it will use less energy later when lowered to the desired temperature.   

Switch to LED bulbs. Returning to the late-night homework grind? Make the transition to LED bulbs, which use 90% less energy than typical incandescent bulbs and last 25x longer. Replacing just five bulbs can save $75 a year.

Utilize power strips for electronics. Cords for laptops, chargers and other electronics can add up quickly. Power strips can help reduce “phantom” energy use by automatically turning off standby power on these devices.   

Unplug unused devices. After your coffee maker and toaster have completed their morning duties, unplug them! Many appliances draw power even when turned off – this is referred to as “vampire energy.”

Looking for even more ways to save throughout the year? With Power Rewards, you can earn bill credits when you shift your energy use away from peak times. With no cost to join, choose the program that best reflects you and your home; then decide how much and how long to participate in each peak event.

For additional energy-saving tips, head to ElectricIdeas.com/Home or ElectricIdeas.com/Work to find products, rebates and discounts to help you save even more.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kara Stevenson 
Corporate Communications 
260-446-5102
klstevenson@aep.com