Energy Efficient Homes Keep You Cozy During Winter’s Chill, Save You Cold, Hard Cash

Winter in the Pacific Northwest has a clear way of telling you when your home could use some help.

Becoming familiar with light bulb labels will help you choose the right energy efficient bulbs for you

Chilly drafts sneak under doors, past leaky windows and through open chimney flues, making your home less than cozy, but you don’t have to live in an icebox. Seattle City Light and its partners can help identify opportunities for making your home more comfortable and energy efficient while saving you money.

“Helping our customers save money by lowering their electricity use reduces City Light’s need to seek new, more expensive energy resources,” City Light Superintendent Jorge Carrasco said. “Energy conservation is our first resource of choice because it is the most affordable way to meet growing customer energy demands.”

Seniors who participate in City Light’s rate reduction program can get a free walk-through audit of their home’s energy efficiency by calling (206) 684-3417. If any weatherization needs are identified, the City of Seattle’s Homewise program might provide that work at no cost. And if you have electric baseboard heating, you could be eligible for an upgrade to an efficient ductless heat pump system at no cost.

For those who do not qualify for rate reduction, City Light is partnering with Earth Advantage Institute to offer full home energy audits for just $95, a savings of more than $300.

For City Light customers who live within the Seattle city limits, Community Power Works also provides rebates, financial incentives and low-interest loans to help people install the energy saving improvements identified in an audit. The average participant has received about $2,000 in rebates and incentives.

Even with your home buttoned up and cozy, you can still do more to ease the impact of high winter heating bills.

Budget Billing is a program that allows City Light customers to average the cost of their electricity use over the entire year.

“Participants pay the same amount each month, so they know exactly what their electricity bill is going to be,” Customer Care Director Kelly Enright said. “No surprises.”

You can find out more or apply over the phone by calling (206) 684-3345.

Finally, here are a few of the top tips for reducing your energy use, whatever type of home you live in.

• Set your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees when you’re home, and as low as possible or 55 degrees when you are away or sleeping.

• Use power strips to hook up electronics, such as TVs, computers and cell phone chargers, so you can completely turn off your electronics when not in use. Most electronics draw power even when they are turned off. You can check out a Kill-A-Watt monitor at the Seattle Public Library (www.SPL.org) to test the electricity use of your electronics.

• Take shorter showers (less than 5 minutes) and use low-flow showerheads to reduce hot water heating costs.

• Wash full loads in your dishwasher and clothes washer using cold water whenever possible for additional energy savings.

• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on light bulbs, electronics, appliances and other products. Seattle City Light offers instant discounts on ENERGY STAR-qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Go to seattle.gov/twistandsave for participating retailers.

• To pick the right light bulb for your needs, be sure to read the Lighting Facts label on the package. It will describe the brightness and light appearance along with how much electricity the bulb will use.

This article appeared in the January 2013 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50.