Skip to main content
  • We're committed to reducing emissions within our footprint.

Home
  • About Us
  • Responsible Energy Plan
  • Media
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
  • Renewable Energy
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Careers
  • Search
Menu

Search form

3 Energy Conservation

February 13, 2020

3 Energy Conservation Tips You Can't Afford to Miss

In every home in America, money is spent on energy consumption. With the average electricity spend per year at $1,368.36, and in some cases, about 35% of the electricity used is actually wasted. Whether you use electricity, propane or natural gas as an energy source, there are ways to conserve and reduce your power bills for heating, air conditioning, lighting, and water heating. Check with your local cooperative or Public Power District (PPD) may be able to help you with more direct information and rebates to install energy-efficient equipment and cut your costs.

1. Cooling and heating use a whopping 47% of energy use in your home. Installing a smart thermostat is a good way to reduce cooling and heating costs.

These costs vary from home to home. Even similar-sized homes cooling and heating costs can vary greatly so it can be tricky to “compare” your cooling and heating costs.  Costs vary by; the number of people in the home, the amount and type of attic and wall insulation, the number and quality of windows, do you have (and use) a programmable thermostat and the list goes on. 

Finding a comfortable temperature for everyone in your home can be challenging but can be essential to cutting your heating and cooling costs. Again, by installing a smart thermostat to help regulate the temperature automatically will help. Some smart thermostat systems also use smart features like a motion sensor to determine if you're home or away and automatically change the temperature – for both heating and cooling. According to the EPA, when used correctly, programmable thermostats are known to save homeowners 10-30% on their heating and cooling bills. You should also check with your electric provider to see if they offer rates for Time-of-Use. Making small changes in the time you perform some of your household activities or charge your electric vehicle can also cut your utility bills. If your budget doesn’t allow for installing a new thermostat, you can raise and lower your thermostat manually for nighttime and daytime temps.

2. Your water heaters are also a major energy user in your home. Water heaters heat water for cooking, bathing/showering, and washing clothes. You can reduce water heating costs (electric or gas) by investing in low-flow showerheads, use cold water for clothes washing, turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving, take quick showers and fewer baths and lower the water heaters thermostat setting.  An easy way to reduce water heating costs is to reduce the thermostat setting. A typical water heaters thermostat is set at 145 degrees at the factory. You can reduce this to 120 degrees and; reduce the risk of burns, save money and still have water hot enough for your household needs. Your water heater runs to heat the water as well as maintain that temperature while the water is in the tank, so even when not using hot water the water heater will cycle on and off to maintain that temperature.

3. Your washer and dryer use 13% of energy use in your home. At eight loads of laundry a week, the average family uses both the washing machine and the dryer six hours each on average per week. Even with some of the more energy-efficient models, the combined cost of doing laundry can add up to more than $256 a year for the electricity alone. Use cold water for washing as often as you can and opt for ENERGY STAR appliances. Hang your laundry outside to dry when weather permits. 

____

Tri-State is a not-for-profit cooperative of 45 members, including 42 member utility electric distribution cooperatives and public power districts in four states, that together deliver reliable, affordable, and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West.

Myles Jensen, Senior Manager Member Relations

Contributor:

Myles Jensen, Senior Manager Member Relations

Blog Posts

Induction vs. Gas Cooktops

Induction vs. Gas Cooktops

Are you ready to switch out your gas cooktop? The equipment you use to cook your food is just as important as the ingredients you use. If you are looking to switch out gas for electricity or buy an induction cooktop or range, here are some pros and cons for each, and tips for going with induction. 
Matt Fitzgibbon, Beneficial Electrification Manager
Read more >
what is beneficial electrification

What is Beneficial Electrification?

What is ‘Beneficial Electrification,’ and why is it important?
Matt Fitzgibbon, Beneficial Electrification Manager
Read more >
Tips for Switching to LED Lighting

Tips for Switching to LED Lighting

Thinking of transitioning to LED bulbs? Learn how making the switch to LED light bulbs offers significant energy savings over incandescent and halogen alternatives, and how you can choose the best lighting options for your home
Sander Blackburn, Member Relations Program Manager
Read more >
Energy Saving Water Heaters

Energy Saving Water Heaters

Conventional water heaters may be a thing of the past with the introduction of a variety of new energy-efficient water heaters. The type of water heater you choose will also affect your water heating costs. Whether you are shopping around for a new energy-saving water heater, looking to replace an old one that just went out, or looking for the best model for a new house build, here are some tips to help you choose carefully.
Matt Fitzgibbon, Beneficial Electrification Manager
Read more >
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient in 2021

How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient in 2021

Many homeowners are now looking for more ways to make their home energy efficient by stepping into smart home technology, electrified appliances, embracing cleaner energy sources, and pursuing more energy-efficient ways to heat and cool their homes. Here are a few energy-saving tips to make your home more efficient in 2021.
Matt Fitzgibbon, Beneficial Electrification Manager
Read more >
Advantages of Heat Pumps for Energy Efficiency

Advantages of Heat Pumps for Energy Efficiency

A heat pump is considered one of the most energy-efficient methods for heating and cooling a home, especially compared to homes heated with baseboard electric heat or propane heated homes. With the improvements in technology over the last 5 years, heat pumps are becoming competitive even in homes heated by natural gas.
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
Fun Winter Activity Ideas for the Whole Family

Fun Winter Activities for the Whole Family

Snowy, winter days are here, which means outdoor snow activities! Whether you’re heading outdoors for the slopes, trails, ice skating rink, or backyard, remember to practice safety first. Too snowy to go outside? We also have some unique winter activities to enjoy indoors, as well as a few within our members’ footprint throughout Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
Kristen Wurth, Communications Specialist
Read more >
Holiday Gift Ideas for Electricians

Gift Ideas for the Electrician

If you’re lost for gift ideas for the lineworker or electrician who is also a gadget lover, we've put together a handy list with some of the best tech and electrician gifts of 2020 for those who seem to have it all.
Matt Fitzgibbon, Beneficial Electrification Manager
Read more >
Electrical Safety Tips for the Holidays

Electrical Safety Tips for the Holidays

To keep up the holiday cheer, and to avoid anything that looks like a ‘Griswold’s Christmas’, we’ve outlined a list of very important safety tips to follow to keep you and your family safe. 
Kent Mahanna, MPH, CSP Senior Manager Safety & Security
Read more >

Pagination

  • Currently on page   1
  • Page   2
  • Page   3
  • Page   4
  • Page   5
  • Next pageNext ›
  • Last pageLast »

Subscribe

* indicates required
Join us on the journey
Sign up for emails
 
 

Quick links

  • About Us
  • Financials
  • Media
  • Operations
  • Careers
  • Member Tools
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Employee login

Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association
Office: 303-452-6111
1100 West 116th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80234

Mailing address:
PO Box 33695
Denver, CO 80233-0695

©2021 Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. Power supplier to the rural west.

  • About Us
  • Responsible Energy Plan
  • Media
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
  • Renewable Energy
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Careers
  • Search