Trim your holiday energy costs by choosing energy-efficient LED lights this holiday season
LED Holiday Lights
Are more energy efficient. They consume 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
Last longer. LEDs last approximately 50,000 hours. Compared to 1,000 hours for standard bulbs.
Are safer. LED lights remain cool to the touch even when on for hours. In contrast, traditional holiday lights become hot to the touch after they’ve been lit for several hours. This may lead to a risk of house fires.
Remember to limit the number of connected strings to the manufacturer’s recommendations and do not overload your outlets.
Never install lights with broken bulbs.
Use the right ladder for the job.
Make sure the bulbs you use are UL-listed. Outdoor bulbs must be rated for external use.
Many members in our cold climate use heat tape to prevent ice from forming on roofs and gutters and to prevent pipes from freezing. Yet, most members do not realize how these increase their electric bills
In our cold climate, heat tape is one of the top five high-energy users. Heat tape consumes energy based on its wattage and length. 100’ of heat tape can use up to 30 kWh per day, which equals 900 kWh per month and can add up to $100 to your monthly electric bill.
Wait until the first snow to energize the heat tape, and mark your calendar to turn off your heat tape at the end of the winter season. To reduce the energy usage of heat tape, do not run it continuously. YVEA recommends installing timers on all heat tape circuits. Operate them from 6 am to 5 pm. This may seem counter-intuitive, but the best time to run heat tape is during the day.
Smart Thermostats Are Now Available for Line Voltage Electric Heating
Check out the Mysa smart thermostat to see how much you can save.
A smart thermostat is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that automatically adjusts heating and cooling temperature settings in your home for optimal performance and savings.
Turn electric baseboard thermostats off or down when you leave home.
When you are home, keep your thermostat set as low as possible. Use a sweater or blanket to help you stay warm.
Closer curtains and blinds after the sun sets.
Set up vacation mode to lower your home's internal temperature when you are away for extended periods.
Do not heat rooms you are not actively using. Close the door and turn the thermostat off.
Visit the Rebates Webpage for more about smart thermostats and Energy Hero rebates on the programmable thermostats
It’s a great time to be smart about how your devices use energy. Being energy aware with your devices means decreasing their standby power loss (also called phantom load) when you are not using them. Here are some tips on how to do that:
Unplug your devices: If you do not use an appliance or device often unplug them until the next time you need to use it.
Use Power Strips: This allows you to control the power usage of multiple devices with the flip of one switch. Also, check out
Advanced Power Strips. They make it easy by turning off idle electronics for you.
Turn your device off: Turn off your device rather than leaving it in idle or sleep mode.
Make Smart Upgrades: Consider purchasing Energy Star appliances. They have a lower standby consumption than your average device and use less energy year-round.
An electric water heater uses approximately 14 kWh hours per day.
That equals 405 kWh per month.
This equates to approximately $45 on your monthly electric bill.
Save energy and money by lowering your water heater thermostats to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This will also slow mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes.
Consider insulating your water heater tank, which could reduce standby heat losses by 25 to 45 percent and save you about 4 to 9 percent in water heating costs. You can find pre-cut jackets or blankets available for around $20.
While our YVEA service territory is known as an outdoor paradise with moderate temperatures and lots of sunshine, summers can get warm during the day. Stay cool and comfortable this summer with these no-cost and low-cost energy efficiency tips.
Close blinds and drapes during the day to keep heat out.
If you have air conditioning, set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home. Set it to a higher temperature when you are away.
Turn off lights, ceiling fans, and any portable fans when you leave a room.
Plant trees and shrubs to shade the exterior of your home.
Use solar lighting to brighten up your outdoor space. It’s low maintenance and uses the sun to generate electricity.
Why should I care about my home’s Building Envelope?
Understanding your home’s Building Envelope is critical to controlling your energy costs.
It is the physical barrier that separates the unconditioned space from the conditioned space of your home. This barrier needs to be resistant to hot and cold air, moisture, light, and noise.
A properly defined and insulated Building Envelope is critical for your comfort and your home's energy efficiency.
In today’s home building, we strive to “build it tight and ventilate it right”. This method helps prevent your home’s heating and cooling systems from fighting the exterior temperature. It also reduces the “drafty” feeling in your home and lowers the chance of mold or mildew growth. A “tight” Building Envelope, with a well-designed ventilation system uses less energy and gives better control over your home’s temperature, air quality, and humidity levels.
YVEA’s Energy Hero Program has a series of DIY resources on our website to help you identify and define your home’s unique Building Envelope. You can also call Mike Beyer at 970-879-1160 for more information.
The area inside the red dotted line represents the space that is conditioned. A well-insulated home should be air-sealed and have insulation around the exterior of all conditioned spaces.
In today’s home building, we strive to “build it tight and ventilate it right”. This method helps prevent your home’s heating and cooling systems from fighting the exterior temperature. It also reduces the “drafty” feeling in your home and lowers the chance of mold or mildew growth. A “tight” Building Envelope, with a well-designed ventilation system uses less energy and gives better control over your home’s temperature, air quality, and humidity levels.