Many older homes have less insulation than homes built today. You can reduce your energy bill by as much as 10% by adding more insulation. R-38 is the recommended level of insulation.

Heating water uses a lot of energy. Switch to a low-flow showerhead to help you use less hot water. You’ll save energy and pay less for your water and energy bills. We suggest a showerhead with a flow rate of less than 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm). Request a free low flow showerhead (up to 2 per electric service location).

Like people in the winter, windows benefit from an extra layer of insulation. Use insulating shades, or make your own window quilts. Some window treatments advertise their R-value—the higher the R-value, the more they’ll block the heat from going out.

Any device with a clock or remote control draws power continuously while plugged in. Television set top boxes with a digital recorder use nearly as much power turned off as they do when in use. To reduce plug loads, unplug devices when not in use, or power them down with a Smart Power strip. Unplug cell phone, laptops, and other chargers when not in use.

Space heating contributes the most to your home electric bill—as much as 50%. Installing a programmable thermostat is a small investment that greatly reduces wasted heat. Recommended settings are 68 degrees F while you’re awake and lower while you’re asleep or away from home. By turning your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours, you can save 5 to 15% a year on your heating bill.

The OPALCO Member Generator community is over 200 members and growing strong. These members produce power right here in San Juan County – primarily using solar technology.  If you’re thinking about adding solar, click here for more information. Remember to make any necessary home efficiency upgrades first, so you can minimize waste of your solar-generated power.

An estimated 35 million freezers are currently in use in the United States. Over 16 million of these freezers are more than 10 years old, costing consumers $990 million per year on their energy bills. Improvements in insulation and compressors mean today’s freezers consume much less energy than older models. Freezers that have earned the ENERGY STAR are at least 10 percent more energy efficient.

LED and CFL bulbs are made for all types of fixtures—indoors and out—including recessed ceiling lights, flood lights, and porch lights. LEDs are available for dimmable fixtures and are now widely available on the warm end of the color spectrum.

Poorly sealed or insulated ducts in unconditioned spaces can lose 5 to 30% of your heated air before it ever reaches the register. Seal those leaks!

Water heaters are one of the biggest sources of energy consumption, second only to energy used to heat your home. A newer type of water heater, using Heat Pump technology, uses about 60% less energy compared to standard electric storage heaters. Also, program your hot water to a reasonable temperature, for example, 120 degrees F is recommended for conservation without sacrificing comfort. OPALCO offers water heater rebates for Heat Pump water heaters.

Is your clothes washer over 17 years old? Washers manufactured before 1998 are significantly less efficient than newer models. Energy Star certified washers use about 20% less energy and 35% less water than regular washers. Check out energystar.gov for more information. Also, remember to wash clothes in cold water—you’ll save almost 90% of the energy needed to run a normal load. OPALCO offers Energy Star appliance rebates.

Older refrigerators and freezers can use up to 3 times as much energy as new Energy Star models. Even worse than the energy they waste is the damage they do to the environment when not disposed of properly. Replace yours.

Space heating contributes the most to your home electric bill by as much as 50%. No matter what kind of heating you use, proper maintenance and upgrades can help you save energy and increase comfort. Clean or replace furnace filters once a month, or as recommended. Clean warm air registers and baseboard heaters, and make sure they are not blocked by furniture or curtains.

Still using space heaters or baseboard heaters?  There are more efficient options available. Check out our heat pump rebates or call us about efficient space heating.

While electric vehicles don’t save electricity, they offer a lot of benefits related to emissions levels, carbon impact, and fuel efficiency. OPALCO employs a Nissan Leaf as part of our transportation fleet.

Learn more here.