{"id":38142,"date":"2022-05-05T12:09:21","date_gmt":"2022-05-05T16:09:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/?page_id=38142"},"modified":"2024-04-15T14:32:06","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T18:32:06","slug":"ways-to-save","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/energy-efficiency\/saving-energy\/ways-to-save\/","title":{"rendered":"Ways to Save"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-2077595930\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1818960275\" class=\"col mid-tile-half small-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"icon-box featured-box icon-med-v icon-box-left text-left\"  >\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-box-img\" style=\"width: 227px\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-inner\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"176\" height=\"176\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-content\/uploads\/ways-to-save.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"sun in the sky\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-box-text last-reset\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<p>During the summer, demand for electricity is at its highest. Save energy in the summer to reduce SMECO\u2019s load and all of our customer-members will save.<\/p>\n<p>Watch our videos on how you can\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4KVuCQlLhEA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">save energy\u00a0in the winter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iTudyZp8MjA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">save energy in the summer<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/energy-efficiency\/saving-energy\/appliance-cost-chart\/\">see how much energy\u00a0your household appliances use<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t<div id=\"gap-62746630\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-62746630 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div class=\"row three-px-dark\"  id=\"row-193392082\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-767791235\" class=\"col small-inner-half small-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"icon-box featured-box icon-sml-v icon-box-left text-left\"  >\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-box-img\" style=\"width: 29px\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-inner\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"29\" height=\"41\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-content\/uploads\/icon-WaysToSaveElectricBill.svg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-box-text last-reset\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<h3>Control Your Electric Bill<\/h3>\n<p>For more detailed information, download our brochure <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-content\/uploads\/Control-Your-Electric-Bill.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Control Your Electric Bill (PDF)<\/a>, SMECO\u2019s self-help guide to managing your bill.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n<h2>Seasonal Tips<\/h2>\n\t<section class=\"section bg-with-border checkmark-list orange-checkmark list-no-bottom-gap\" id=\"section_1675628780\">\n\t\t<div class=\"bg section-bg fill bg-fill  bg-loaded\" >\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<h3>Reducing Energy Costs in Hot Weather<\/h3>\n<p>Summer weather will affect energy bills. For customer-members who want to save money, the following information will help reduce energy use when the weather is warm.<\/p>\n\t<div id=\"text-3970140763\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">Cooling systems account for a significant portion of a residential customer\u2019s energy use, so <strong>set your thermostat at 78\u00ba F<\/strong> \u2013 When going on vacation, turn off your cooling system or set your thermostat to a higher temperature<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1736745634\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1736745634 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-4271242931\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">Use <strong>ceiling fans and portable fans<\/strong> to circulate air in your home<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1245548653\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1245548653 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-418231152\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">Make sure to<strong> clean or replace the filters<\/strong> on your cooling system monthly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1865984933\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1865984933 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1747699819\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">Make sure you have adequate <strong>attic insulation<\/strong> to keep your home cool<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1502219752\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1502219752 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1728454281\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\"><strong>Keep window blinds and curtains closed during the day<\/strong> to block sunlight<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-2048014874\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-2048014874 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-2086641076\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\"><strong>Keep exterior doors and windows closed<\/strong> to keep the cool air in<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1065372039\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1065372039 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-276385968\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\"><strong>Use bathroom exhaust fans<\/strong> to pull warm air and humidity out of the bathroom<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-797895115\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-797895115 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-3454831177\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\"><strong>Keep leaves and grass away from the outdoor unit of your heat pump or air conditioner<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-519298891\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-519298891 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1897285374\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\"><strong>Have your cooling system professionally serviced on a regular basis<\/strong> to keep it operating at its peak efficiency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-315132906\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-315132906 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1706503477\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\"><strong>Use a timer for your pool pump<\/strong> so it doesn\u2019t run 24 hours a day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1718798188\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1718798188 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-3209949887\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\"><strong>Cooking outdoors<\/strong> will keep your home cool and save electricity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1695454090\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1695454090 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-47737857\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\"><strong>Turn off lights<\/strong> in unoccupied rooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-585831768\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-585831768 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1585220952\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">Not only do <strong>LED bulbs<\/strong> consume less energy than incandescent light bulbs, they also produce less heat so your air conditioning does not have to work as hard \u2013 Find out more on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/energy-efficiency\/residential-programs\/lighting\/\">Lighting page<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-411592284\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-411592284 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-3087603970\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">When going on vacation, <strong>shut off your water heater<\/strong> and <strong>disconnect appliances<\/strong> that will be unused during your absence \u2013 You can either unplug the appliances or switch off the surge protectors \u2013 TVs and cable\/satellite converter boxes can draw or \u201cleak\u201d as much as 40 watts an hour even when switched off \u2013 You can also unplug these items when not in use even when you are at home<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-235047070\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-235047070 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-2924682236\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">Join <a href=\"https:\/\/smecocoolsentry.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SMECO CoolSentry<\/a>, our load management program, and receive a programmable thermostat and up to $75 in annual electric bill credits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1585741307\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1585741307 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-4073685597\" class=\"text three-px-text-box\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">Want to save energy and money? Sign up for SMECO\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/energy-efficiency\/residential-programs\/home-energy-improvement-program\/\">Home Energy Improvement Program<\/a> \u2013 An Energy Advisor will do a no-cost home energy analysis to show you how you can save every month on your energy costs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1675628780 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n  padding-bottom: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"gap-1882305774\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1882305774 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<h2>No-Cost Actions<\/h2>\n\t<section class=\"section bg-with-border circle-list circle-list-line\" id=\"section_230899347\">\n\t\t<div class=\"bg section-bg fill bg-fill  bg-loaded\" >\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<h3>Items That Cost Nothing to Do<\/h3>\n\t<div id=\"text-3822016950\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Do you have an extra<strong> refrigerator or freezer<\/strong> that is really not needed?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Unplug it<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Older models can cost between $10 and $20 per month to operate<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">The cost is significantly higher if the refrigerator or freezer is in a garage or shed<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Consider recycling that extra fridge or freezer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-1463667172\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Are there a lot of <strong>lights left on when not needed<\/strong>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Turn them off<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">A single 100-watt incandescent bulb left on for 4 hours a day uses $1.65 worth of electricity each month<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">If you leave many lights on for long periods of time, the cost adds up quickly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-1290174993\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Are you <strong>running your furnace fan continuously<\/strong>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">The fan in a large oil furnace can easily consume $50 of electricity in a month if running 24\/7<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Switch the fan to the \u201cAuto\u201d setting and significantly reduce this amount<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-4045419073\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">If you have a <strong>waterbed<\/strong>, do you make the bed after you wake up?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Placing a comforter on a waterbed can save about $3.65 each month<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-287720078\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Do you leave your <strong>computer<\/strong> on continuously?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Computers use relatively little power, but most people can save several dollars a month by turning off their computers and related equipment when not in use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-2365227192\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Do you take <strong>really long showers<\/strong>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Most people don\u2019t realize that the cost of hot water is about 25% of their energy bill<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Shortening showers from 10 minutes to 5 minutes can save about $5 per month<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-3542124722\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Do you <strong>wash clothes in hot water<\/strong>?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">If you can switch to cold water and wash one load a day, you could save about $16 each month<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-1909070668\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\"><strong>Adjusting your thermostat<\/strong> can bring substantial savings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">During the winter, keeping your thermostat set at 68\u00ba F (instead of 72\u00ba F) can decrease your heating costs by about 21%<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">During the summer, keeping your thermostat set at 78\u00ba F (instead of 72\u00ba F) can decrease cooling costs by about 40%<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">For an average 4-ton heat pump or air conditioner, these strategies can save about $170 during the winter and $130 during the summer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-4043109772\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">A <strong>small space heater<\/strong> left on the high setting can consume about $100 in a month if left on continuously, so use it only when needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Space heaters are effective at providing some heat in an area, but if left on for long periods of time, they can really gobble up electricity!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-3274042640\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">If you have<strong> electric baseboard heaters<\/strong> the bad news is that they are about the most expensive form of heat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">The good news is that they can be easily turned off or turned down in rooms where heat is not needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-3074347917\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">The <strong>sun\u2019s energy<\/strong> is free!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">In the winter, take advantage of this free energy by opening shades and blinds on south facing windows on sunny days<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">In the summer do the opposite: close shades and blinds to keep out the sun\u2019s energy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-1106910825\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">When<strong> drying clothes<\/strong>, use your dryer\u2019s automatic drying feature (if there is one) instead of time drying.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Be sure that you dryer vent is not clogged and remember that the sun will dry your clothes for free!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_230899347 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n  padding-bottom: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1293331227\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1293331227 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<h2>Easy to Do<\/h2>\n\t<section class=\"section bg-with-border\" id=\"section_344285423\">\n\t\t<div class=\"bg section-bg fill bg-fill  bg-loaded\" >\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<h3>Items That Cost a Little &amp; Are Easy to Do<\/h3>\n<div class=\"row three-px-box\"  id=\"row-998687755\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1658137293\" class=\"col checkmark-list circle-list list-no-bottom-gap list-no-left-gap small-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">Make sure your <strong>heating system operates efficiently.<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">The most important things you can do as a homeowner are changing your filters and making sure your outdoor unit is not blocked by leaves, debris and snow<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">A dirty filter on a heat pump can use excess auxiliary heat and drive up your electric bill<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">If you suspect that your system is not working properly, have it checked by a professional!<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Sign up for the Co-op\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/energy-efficiency\/residential-programs\/home-energy-improvement-program\/\">Home Energy Improvement Program<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">SMECO also offers tips for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/energy-efficiency\/saving-energy\/heating-cooling\/\">troubleshooting your heat pump<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1708010575\" class=\"col checkmark-list circle-list list-no-bottom-gap list-no-left-gap small-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">Is your <strong>thermostat<\/strong> saving you money?\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">SMECO strongly recommends a programmable thermostat for homeowners who have oil, gas, and electric furnaces and who are away during the day<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Savings can range from 10 to 30 percent depending on the settings<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">For homeowners with heat pumps, programmable thermostats are a good idea but savings are much more modest<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Programmable thermostats are also a good idea for people who leave the house during the day during the summer and can tolerate a higher thermostat setting for their heat pump or air conditioner while they are away<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Sign up for <a href=\"https:\/\/smecocoolsentry.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SMECO CoolSentry<\/a> and receive a free programmable thermostat and up to $75 in credits on your electric bill<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1101158976\" class=\"col checkmark-list circle-list list-no-bottom-gap list-no-left-gap small-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\"><strong>Water heating<\/strong> is usually the second largest energy consumer in the home.\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Inexpensive ways to reduce hot water consumption include:\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Installing low flow shower heads<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Turning down the temperature on the water heater to 120\u00ba F<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Insulating the hot water tank<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">The cost savings will vary but could easily add up to $16 per month for a family of 4<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-195366495\" class=\"col checkmark-list circle-list list-no-bottom-gap list-no-left-gap small-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">Do you use <strong>timers for appliances<\/strong> such as pool pumps, lights, and block heaters?\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">A timer simply turns an appliance on and off and saves money by reducing its run time<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">There are many applications for timers<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">A timer for your bathroom fan can prevent the fan from running all day and sucking all the conditioned air out of your house<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_344285423 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n  padding-bottom: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1103174120\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1103174120 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<h2>Other Ways to Use Appliance Timers<\/h2>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th>Device<\/th>\n<th>Daily Run Time<\/th>\n<th>Savings per Month<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Pool pump, 1 hp<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>12 hours instead of 24 hours<\/td>\n<td><strong>$35<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Block heater, 1,500 watts<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>2 hours instead of 12 hours<\/td>\n<td><strong>$40<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Quartz floodlight, 500 watts<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>4 hours instead of 12 hours<\/td>\n<td><strong>$11<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\t<div id=\"gap-1659355336\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1659355336 {\n  padding-top: 15px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<div class=\"row row-collapse row-full-width align-middle circle-large checkmark-list list-no-left-gap\"  id=\"row-1017184197\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-972325771\" class=\"col circle-desc list-no-bottom-gap medium-12 small-12 large-8\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<h2>Do you use LED bulbs?<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">LEDs last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use 75% less energy<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">With LEDs, you can save through lower energy costs and less frequent bulb replacements<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">SMECO offers discounts on LEDs through participating retailers<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-checkmark\">Find out more on our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/energy-efficiency\/residential-programs\/lighting\/\">Lighting page<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#col-972325771 > .col-inner {\n  padding: 40px 15px 0px 15px;\n  max-width: 550px;\n}\n@media (min-width:550px) {\n  #col-972325771 > .col-inner {\n    padding: 30px 30px 0px 30px;\n  }\n}\n@media (min-width:850px) {\n  #col-972325771 > .col-inner {\n    padding: 30px 50px 40px 40px;\n  }\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1555483524\" class=\"col medium-12 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner text-right\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"img has-hover x md-x lg-x y md-y lg-y\" id=\"image_2009315986\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-inner image-cover dark\" style=\"padding-top:415px;margin:0px 0px 0px -18%;\">\n\t\t\t<img width=\"800\" height=\"822\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-content\/uploads\/img-LightingLED.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"lightbulb\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-content\/uploads\/img-LightingLED.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-content\/uploads\/img-LightingLED-779x800.jpg 779w, https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-content\/uploads\/img-LightingLED-331x340.jpg 331w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#image_2009315986 {\n  width: 100%;\n}\n@media (min-width:850px) {\n  #image_2009315986 {\n    width: 100%;\n  }\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t<div id=\"gap-1591261915\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1591261915 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"icon-box featured-box icon-box-left text-left\"  >\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-box-img\" style=\"width: 20px\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-inner\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"19\" height=\"33\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-content\/uploads\/icon-waysToSaveMoney.svg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"icon-box-text last-reset\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n<h3>Invest to Save<\/h3>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-646433781\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-646433781 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<section class=\"section bg-with-border circle-list circle-list-line\" id=\"section_1607939921\">\n\t\t<div class=\"bg section-bg fill bg-fill  bg-loaded\" >\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n<h3>Items That Require Investment &amp; Planning<\/h3>\n\t<div id=\"text-1871868241\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">When you shop for a new appliance do you look for ENERGY STAR appliances?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">The ENERGY STAR label makes it easy to determine if an appliance is energy efficient<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">You can even build a new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/energy-efficiency\/residential-programs\/new-home-efficiency\/energy-star-home-builders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ENERGY STAR<\/a> home that will save you about 30% on your utility costs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-3529731086\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\"><strong>Replacement windows<\/strong> are high on the list of many owners of older homes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Although replacing windows is usually very expensive and takes a long time to pay back in energy costs, many people make window replacement a high priority<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Be sure to make a wise energy choice with windows by understanding key items such as Low-E glass, U-value, shading coefficient, and the NFRC label<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-1362943012\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">When buying <strong>new heating and air conditioning equipment<\/strong>, higher efficiency numbers mean lower operating costs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">For heat pumps be sure to look at both the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) and the Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF)<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">For fossil fuel appliances be sure to compare the Annual Fuel Utilization Index (AFUE)<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">The equipment is usually only half the story; most heating and cooling systems rely on ducts to carry the warm or cool air to each room<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Keeping your ducts insulated and free of leaks will save you money<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">SMECO offers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/energy-efficiency\/residential-programs\/heating-cooling-rebates\/\">rebates on air conditioners and heat pumps<\/a> through participating contractors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-351898414\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">The greatest loss of heat in many homes is through <strong>excessive leakiness and draftiness<\/strong>, and usually older homes are the most leaky.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">The most effective way to identify leaks is through a blower door test of your home<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">SMECO provides blower door testing through our ENERGY STAR\u00ae program<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Keep in mind that it is much easier and more effective to seal a home tight while a home is being built<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">There are many resources available to help guide you in effectively sealing and tightening a home if you wish to do it yourself<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t<div id=\"text-365213334\" class=\"text three-px-text-box list-no-bottom-gap\">\n\t\t\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">Do you have <strong>adequate insulation<\/strong> levels in your home?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">The Department of Energy has specific recommendations for insulation<\/li>\n<li class=\"bullet-star\">It\u2019s relatively easy to insulate an attic or basement, a little more difficult to insulate a crawlspace, and much more difficult to insulate existing walls<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1607939921 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n  padding-bottom: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-246900098\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-246900098 {\n  padding-top: 30px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<h2>Good Websites for More Information<\/h2>\n<div class=\"row align-equal\"  id=\"row-1381893264\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-2027664275\" class=\"col medium-4 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\" style=\"background-color:rgb(229, 230, 228);\" >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div id=\"text-83934248\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/energysaver\/downloads\/energy-saver-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Department of Energy Energy Saver Guide<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-83934248 {\n  text-align: center;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#col-2027664275 > .col-inner {\n  border-radius: 5px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\t<div id=\"col-100982066\" class=\"col medium-4 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\" style=\"background-color:rgb(229, 230, 228);\" >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div id=\"gap-1894933426\" class=\"gap-element clearfix\" style=\"display:block; height:auto;\">\n\t\t\n<style>\n#gap-1894933426 {\n  padding-top: 20px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div id=\"text-1832191282\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.energystar.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ENERGY STAR\u00ae<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-1832191282 {\n  text-align: center;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#col-100982066 > .col-inner {\n  border-radius: 5px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-555006614\" class=\"col medium-4 small-12 large-4\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\" style=\"background-color:rgb(229, 230, 228);\" >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div id=\"text-3838178899\" class=\"text\">\n\t\t\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.eeba.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Energy &amp; Environmental Building Association Building Technology<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\n<style>\n#text-3838178899 {\n  text-align: center;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n#col-555006614 > .col-inner {\n  border-radius: 5px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<style>\n#row-1381893264 > .col > .col-inner {\n  padding: 70px 20px 50px 20px;\n}\n@media (min-width:550px) {\n  #row-1381893264 > .col > .col-inner {\n    padding: 70px 40px 50px 40px;\n  }\n}\n<\/style>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Seasonal Tips No-Cost Actions Easy to Do Other Ways to Use Appliance Timers Device Daily Run Time Savings per Month Pool pump, 1 hp 12 hours instead of 24 hours $35 Block heater, 1,500 watts 2 hours instead of 12 hours $40 Quartz floodlight, 500 watts 4 hours instead of 12 hours $11 Good Websites [&#8230;]\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":0,"parent":38132,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38142"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38142"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38142\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51191,"href":"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38142\/revisions\/51191"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.smeco.coop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}