Energy Insights: 5 Energy-Saving Earth Day Tips

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22nd to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries. 

While there are many great ways you can get involved on behalf of the environment on Earth Day, including planting a tree, picking up trash at a local park or committing to not driving for the day, some of the most beneficial ways you can help relate to your home’s energy use.  Here are 5 energy-saving tips to get you started:

1. Inspect your home for air leaks and repair using weatherproof caulk. Additionally, install rubber foam gaskets behind all of your electrical outlets, door sweeps on your exterior doors, and weatherstripping around doors and windows.

Use this energy.gov map to locate the most common air leaks in the home:

2.     Inspect your thermostat and make sure it is not near any heat sources, such as sunlight, lamps, or heat-producing appliances. This will create a false temperature measurement, causing your air conditioner to run longer than it should. Set your thermostat to as high a temperature that is comfortable. You can save around 6-8% off your cooling costs for every degree set above 78 degrees. Consider upgrading to a smart thermostat for even more energy savings.

3.     Install and use ceiling fans to supplement your heating and cooling system. According to energy.gov, “If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort.”

 4.     Look for the Energy Star label, the government’s symbol of energy efficiency, on a wide range of consumer products to save up to 30% on related electricity bills.

 5. New & improved light bulbs can reduce energy use from about a third to as much as 80% with today’s increasing number of energy-efficient halogen incandescents, compact fluorescents and LEDs.