Energy Efficiency: Saving Money and Improving Comfort
October 6, 2023
Being more sustainable does not mean you have to give up on comfort. Making energy efficient upgrades at home can help save energy, put money back in your pocket and make your home more comfortable.
Working with a third party to perform an in-home energy assessment is an easy way to learn what solutions you can deploy today. Through Duquesne Light Company’s (DLC) energy audit program, customers are eligible for up to $275 in rebates.
During the home assessment, you will meet with a professional energy auditor to make a custom energy-saving plan for your home, including solutions for improving comfort. The professional will install new LED lightbulbs, nightlights and power strips on the spot — all to help lower your energy consumption and utility bill.
To help bring down the cost of energy efficient upgrades, customers can also take advantage of $400 in additional incentives when you act on the insulation and air-sealing measures discussed during your in-home energy assessment.
Weatherization
Investing in weatherization efforts protects your home’s interior from the outside elements, leading to savings on your electric bill. This includes a wide range of energy efficiency measures, from insulating your attic, weatherstripping doors, caulking windows and even installing a smart thermostat.
Smart thermostats are programmable devices that allow you to control the temperature of your home more efficiently. To learn more about how you can save $50 on smart thermostats, check out DLC’s appliance market place for instant savings.
Once your weatherization is complete, your home will be more energy efficient, and the comfort in your home will rise. To start your savings journey today, call 866-878-5237 or email DLC.REEP@clearsult.com.
My Electric Use
The best way to manage your energy use is to be informed. DLC customers can monitor their electricity use hour by hour on the My Electric Use tool. You can dive into your energy use data by the day and even see at what times your energy use spikes.
My Electric Use also offers a home comparison report. This feature shows how your electricity use compares to other similar homes in your neighborhood. It includes helpful budgeting insights like a projection of your next bill and a comparison to the previous month’s bill. Having an inside look at your energy data can help you focus on your energy use habits and even provide resource to be more energy efficient.
Visit DLCEnergyRebates.com to learn how you can take advantage of energy efficiency rebates today.
This article first appeared in Pittsburgh Magazine on Sept. 7, 2023.
I like the idea of weatherstripping doors and caulking windows — such a cheap and simple solution.
Another suggestion we would like to offer to save energy and money is insulating your water heater tank. If your tank is an older model, check to see if it has insulation with an R-value of at least 24. If it doesn’t, you should consider adding insulation. This could reduce heat loss by up to 45% and save you around 10% on water heating costs.
Great tips! Thank you. But I have to add that every homeowner with a central HVAC system should also ensure that their ductwork is properly sealed and insulated. This small step can significantly improve the overall efficiency of an HVAC system, saving energy and money.
Alongside optimizing a home’s insulation and reducing electricity use, it’s crucial to address any issues with faulty water heaters, as they can significantly impact a home’s energy efficiency. A malfunctioning water heater can work harder and less efficiently, leading to increased energy consumption and higher utility bills. Common signs of a faulty water heater include inconsistent water temperatures, strange noises, leaks, or rust-colored water.
Hi there! Thank you for the tips. Regularly replacing AC filters is another small but significant step towards keeping your home cool in summer without overusing the AC unit. A clean filter allows the air conditioning system to operate more efficiently, reducing the amount of energy needed to circulate air and maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. While it’s standard to change an AC’s air filter every three months, we recommend changing it every 60 to 90 days, especially if you have seasonal allergies or pets.