Home energy audit can save you money on electric bill CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Electric rates are going up this winter for many customers in Western Massachusetts. National Grid started charging customers more as of November 1, 2014. Western Massachusetts Electric Company proposed a similar increase and is awaiting approval from the Department of Public Utilities. 22News is working for you with ways you can save on your rising electric bills. It’s advised you do a home energy audit. You can pay for a professional audit, but there are ways you can save energy, and therefore money, by checking certain things on your own. “There’s only a certain low you can go because you have to pay for usage,” said Donna Szuba, a Westfield Gas and Electric customer. Shut off any unnecessary lights: energy from them accounts for about 10 percent of your electric bill. “I shut off all the lights at home before I leave, unplugging the TV, unplugging the cell phone, unplugging the laptop, unplugging any toys that are left on, you know, stuff like that,” National Grid customer Michael Pingeton told 22News. You can switch out old light bulbs with LED lights which are considered more energy efficient. If you have a forced air heating system, be sure to check the air filters about every 3 months. If they’re dirty, you can get a new one for just a couple dollars. If you heat with electric, keep the thermostat as low as you find comfortable. With an infrared laser thermometer, we found even shutting the blinds on the windows helped keep more heat in the house. “I don’t use very much electricity at all. Washer, dryer, the basics. As much as you can save on your electric bill, I probably do,” Szuba said. Check windows and doors for any drafts. You can seal them with weatherstripping or by applying caulk. Even if you’re not using electronics, unplug them: they can drain energy just by staying plugged in. For more tips on a home energy audit, click here.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Nov 2014 22:10:22 +0000
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