Tri-County EMC

Energy Efficiency Information

Energy Efficiency Information

Come Home to Comfort...

Getting the most out of your home's energy bills is important. Efficiency and comfort go hand in hand. Take advantage of these energy efficiency tips to get more for your energy dollar. For more detailed information, visit our Energy Fact Sheets to download free efficiency guides for your home.

Heating and Cooling... the Heat Pump Advantage

Heating and cooling, or HVAC as it is commonly referred to, make up nearly 42% of the average annual Tri-County EMC residential electric bill, so choosing the right system for your home is important.  

In Georgia's climate, with a relatively even amount of heating and cooling needed throughout the year, heat pumps are a great choice.  Modern heat pumps are extremely efficient and offer considerable savings over many of the other available heating options.  Because there is no combustion, heat pumps eliminate the need for gas tanks, gas lines, or exhaust flues, often reducing installation costs and avoiding future maintenance issues.  By using electricity to heat the home, you're avoiding exposure to volatile pricing associated with other heating fuels.      

Here are a few suggestions for lowering heating and cooling bills and raising comfort:
 

  • Set your thermostat at 78 degrees for cooling and 68 degrees for heating. Every degree you change the thermostat setting changes your heating or cooling bill by three percent.

           
  • If your home is left unoccupied for much of the day or night and you follow a relatively consistent schedule, consider having a programmable thermostat installed. By automatically adjusting the indoor temperature to a more economical setting during unoccupied times or when everyone is sleeping, you could reduce energy costs for heating and cooling by as much as twelve percent.
  
  • Check return filter(s) monthly and change filter(s) that are visibly dirty.

 
  • During the summer, close blinds or shades on windows that face the sun to reduce the cooling load on the home. In the winter, open blinds or shades facing the sun during the day to take advantage of the natural radiant heating.

 
  • Have your home's duct system checked for duct leakage. Leaking ducts waste energy, often increasing your heating and cooling costs by as much as 25%, while bringing excess humidity, dust, and other contaminants into the home. Ductwork should be sealed with mastic, insulated, and enclosed in a moisture-barrier to prevent condensation within the insulation.
  
  • When installing a new heating or cooling system, insist on an ACCA Manual J load calculation to determine exactly what size system your home needs. Relying on guesswork or outdated rules-of-thumb can result in incorrectly sized equipment, decreasing efficiency and comfort.
  

Water Heating:

The water heater is typically the second largest user of electricity in the home. Your goal should be an adequate supply of hot water to meet the needs of your home without wasting energy.

An electric water heater will provide years of service for your home with a minimal amount of maintenance and the lowest installation costs.  By following these tips for home water heating, you can maximize your water heater's efficiency.
 

  • Set your water heater's thermostat(s) at 125 degrees or lower unless the instructions for your home's dishwasher require a higher setting.
  • Consider the use of a waste heat recovery system (HRU) or desuperheater. Using the heat rejected from the home by a central air-conditioner or heat pump, an HRU can heat a considerable portion of your typical hot water usage, virtually for free. HRUs can be expensive to install and must be installed by a licensed HVAC dealer, but could save $250 or more each year.
  • A water heater wrap or blanket can help to reduce the amount of heat escaping through the sides and top of a water heater, especially if it is located outside of the conditioned space. However, check the owner's manual for your model first as insulation wrap voids the warranty for a few water heater manufacturers.

Appliances and Lighting:

  • Refrigerators and freezers are major contributors to your electric bill. However, there is not much you can do to reduce their operating costs. While the operating costs for modern models may offer savings over units manufactured before 1980, the savings alone will not usually solely substantiate the replacement of an older model. The quickest way to reduce energy usage for a refrigerator or freezer is to unplug units that you do not really need.
               
  • Avoid washing or drying partial loads of clothing whenever possible and consider a drying rack or clothesline as an alternative to the dryer.
  
  • Use the microwave or grill outside to reduce energy usage associated with cooking, especially during the summer when heat from the oven or stove will increase cooling loads and result in more air-conditioning operation.
  
  • Consider compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) as replacements for incandescent bulbs. CFLs use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs to produce the same amount of light. CFLs also last ten to thirteen times longer than typical incandescent bulbs and contribute significantly less heat to the home. A wide variety of shapes, sizes, and wattages of CFLs are now available.