Baldwin EMC Hosts Energy Efficiency Booth
March 25, 2010
Baldwin EMC Energy Marketing Specialists will host an energy efficiency booth from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Lowe's in Foley, Ala. on April 9 and Home Depot in Foley, Ala. on April 23. The community is invited to stop by and learn energy efficiency tips and see examples of products that will help make your home more efficient.
The change in seasons from winter to spring means rising temperatures outside and more energy demands inside. Baldwin EMC is urging all electric consumers to practice energy efficiency in their homes for spring and summer. "It's very important to practice energy efficiency," says Greg Gipson, Baldwin EMC's manager of energy services. "Many people don't realize they can do it without drastically changing their lifestyles."
For example, Baldwin EMC's energy marketing team continually stresses the importance of efficiency when it comes to air conditioners. For maximum summer efficiency, set your thermostat at 78 degrees, and program it to increase the temperature at times when no one is home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says using an automatic thermostat can save a household up to 18 percent a year on energy bills. Also, air conditioner filters need to be replaced every 30 days. Not only does this help the unit run more efficiently, it also helps keep allergens and other contaminants from circulating through the air. Filters are inexpensive, and can be purchased at most home improvement stores.
And don't forget about those light bulbs. If you're still using incandescent bulbs, you could be adding an avoidable heat source to your home. Only about 10% of the energy used by incandescent bulbs is emitted as light. The remaining 90% is given off as heat. With energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, the opposite is true. They give off far less heat, and use two-thirds less the electricity used by incandescent bulbs.
For more energy-saving tips like these check out the energy efficiency booths or visit the energy savings page of our Web site.