Energy for your home can be a big expense and it can feel like there are no easy or inexpensive ways to save on your utility bills. Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) is here to provide our members with resources and information to help improve their financial wellbeing. This Energy Saving To Do list can help you save energy and money this year!
To do: Stop Energy Vampires!
Take a look around your house and make note of all your energy vampires: the electrical appliances that drain power when they are left on standby or when they aren't in use. This includes TVs, game consoles, computers, laptops, printers, cable/satellite boxes and more. Try to unplug devices when they aren't in use to save some cash. You can also stop these devices from using up energy is to kill off the juice. Get a power strip and plug things like your gaming console and laptop into it. That way, you can just flip the switch and stop the electricity from getting sucked up by devices when you aren't using them.
To do: Swap in LED light bulbs
Try replacing your old-style incandescent bulbs or CFLs with LEDS. You can find the right bulbs using lighting guides from
Clean Energy Resource Teams. You can even find ideas on how to save money on Holiday lighting! Not only will swapping to LED lights make your home more energy efficient, but LED bulbs last longer and are better for the environment too. And don't forget the number one way to reduce the energy cost of lighting your home: make sure to turn off the lights when you leave a room no matter what kind of bulbs you use.
To do: Program the Thermostat
Your thermostat can be the key to saving you money year-round. In winter, set your thermostat to 68°F during the day and lower it at night or when you are away. In summer, set the thermostat at 76°F and use a fan to reduce air conditioning costs. Remember, you can also use the great outdoors for some free cooling and heating. In the winter, open your shades and let the sun help warm up your home. In the summer, open your windows in the evening to cool your home down. MMFCU is dedicated to helping our members find the appropriate resources to help improve financial wellbeing. If you need more assistance with your energy expenses than this To Do List, check out our
blog post about Minnesota's energy assistance programs that can help eligible households pay for utilities.
