Energy efficiency tips & resources

• Screen savers on computer monitors are not energy savers. The best energy-saving strategy is to set the computer to automatically switch to sleep mode or manually turn off the computer and monitor when it is not in use.
• Make sure the power management settings are activated on your computer(s). ENERGY STAR certified computers and monitors save energy only when the power management settings are activated.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for home appliances and electronics. It's the government's seal of energy efficiency.
• Air dry your dishes instead of using the dishwasher's drying cycle.
• Wash clothes in cold or warm water; always rinse in cold water. Line dry clothes on clothes lines or drying racks.
• Inspect your clothes dryer's vent to ensure it is not blocked. Not only will you save energy, but you may also prevent a fire.
• Clean the lint filter in your clothes dryer after every load. This improves air circulation.
• Wash and dry only full loads of clothes. Don't forget to adjust your washer's water level if you wash smaller loads.
• Use your microwave, outdoor grill or crock pot to prepare dinner instead of the oven or stove to prevent heat build-up in your kitchen.
• Most appliances continue to draw small amounts of power even when they are turned off. This "phantom" energy occurs in almost all appliances that use electricity, such as DVD players, TVs, stereo equipment, computers, and gaming consoles. Avoid this "phantom" energy usage by unplugging the appliance when it is not in use or using a power strip to turn off the appliance(s) when not in use.

Making your home more energy efficient can save you energy and money, but there are other benefits to building or renovating your home with energy-efficient measures and products.

Visit these external resources for more information about how to make your next home improvement energy efficient. 

Compared to traditional gas-powered lawn equipment, electric counterparts boast:

1. longer life span;
2. easier maintenance;
3. less noise pollution;
4. less air pollution; and
5. lighter weight.

Electric mowers yield lower emissions and are more efficient than gas-powered lawn mowers. In fact, power plants are also more efficient than gas-powered lawn mowers.

Electric lawn equipment is ideal for smaller yards (less than a half-acre in size).

Using a gas-powered leaf blower for just a half hour produces about the same amount of emissions as driving a big pick-up truck 3,900 miles, according to a study from Edmunds.^*

Check with your local government to see if they offer rebates on electric lawn equipment.

^* Edmunds, “Leaf Blower’s Emissions Dirtier than High-Performance Pick-Up Truck’s, Says Edmunds’ InsideLine.com,” Santa Monica, CA, 2011.

• Conduct a nighttime audit to find out what’s on afterhours that shouldn’t be.

• Perform monthly maintenance of heating and cooling equipment to guarantee efficient operation throughout the year.

• Maximize daylighting. Open or close blinds to make the best use of natural daylight and take advantage of skylights or other natural daylight sources to reduce lighting during daytime hours.

• Remove unnecessary lamps (de-lamp) in overlit areas.

• Enable the power management function on office computers, which automatically puts monitors to sleep when not in use.

• Consolidate stand-alone office equipment to achieve a ratio of one device per 10 or more users. Typical cost savings can reach 30 to 40 percent

• Set back the thermostat in the evenings and other times when the building isn’t occupied.

• Make sure that areas in front of vents are clear of furniture and paper, to save up to 25% on HVAC energy usage.

• Educate employees and building occupants about how their behaviors affect energy use.

• For dozens more great business tips, visit energystar.gov

• Renovating or building new? Before you upgrade, check out our Business Rebates program. 

When planning to have work done in your home or business, please follow these guidelines from the Better Business Bureau:

1. Get at least three to four quotes from service providers.
2. Obtain a written contract that specifies the price, work to be done and the completion date.

Visit www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews for more information and reviews on businesses in your area.

* LG&E and KU do not warrant or guarantee the work or services performed by the participating companies.