Energy Resolutions for 2013

Another year has come and gone. As we enter 2013, many of us have set (and may have already broke) new year's resolutions. This year, consider setting some energy resolutions which will help save energy and decrease your overall electricity consumption. Here you'll find some energy-saving goals you can set for your family to make 2013 your most energy-efficient year yet.

Energy Resolution #1:
Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs

If there are still older, incandescent light bulbs lurking around your home, make the commitment to switch to efficient lighting options now. In fact, incandescent light bulbs are being phased out in many countries in favor of higher efficiency bulbs; as of January 1st, the 75-watt incandescent bulb is being phased out of the U.S. marketplace. Now is the perfect time to phase them out in your home as well.

According to ENERGY STAR, if every American household made the commitment to trade out just one incandescent bulb for an energy-efficient option, we could save $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. An ENERGY STAR rating on new bulbs can help your household save money as well; each bulb you replace with an ENERGY STAR-rated bulb saves about $6 per year, and can save over $40 over its lifetime. For advice on energy-efficient light bulbs, check out this post to learn more.

Energy Resolution #2:
Change your habits

New Year's resolutions are notorious for attempting to change poor habits. Apply the same principles and correct the poor energy habits you have to create positive change for your household. Whether you're simply looking to save on energy costs, reduce consumption, or teach children good habits, this resolution can help you become more conscientious about your energy use.

Think about your current energy consumption and what you'd like to change. Starting out small is perfectly ok, and you may find it easier to implement new habits this way. Habits like turning out the lights may seem like a no-brainer, but are often overlooked. Goals like turning off excess lights and unplugging unused appliances can lay a good foundation for improving your habits, and household efficiency, throughout the year.

Energy Resolution #3:
Make smart choices for your home

2013 may be the year you plan on remodeling, or upgrading appliances. When planning for these projects, consider how you can improve your home's efficiency at the same time. Even smaller improvement projects can play a major role when it comes to energy efficiency; installing dimmer switches and timers can help you conserve electricity.

If new appliances are in your future, do your research before purchasing. Consider the needs of your household, and choose equipment to meet them without wasting excess energy. When debating between replacing or repairing aging appliances, do a comparison to see how much energy you would save by replacing now with a newer, efficient model.

Make it a point to start the new year off right by setting your energy resolutions today. Frye Electric can help make your energy resolutions a reality. Contact us to install new energy efficient fixtures, or for advice on how you can lower your energy consumption in 2013.