Save Energy & Reduce Costs
Reduce Your Use to Reduce Your Bill
Energy efficiency means using less energy to achieve the same results. It’s a simple, cost-effective way to lower energy bills, improve the environment, and address climate change.
Learn about small actions that you can take in your own home that can add up to big energy savings!
Understand Your Utility Bill
Monitor your monthly utility bill to identify energy usage patterns and costs. Reduce consumption during peak times and when away. Compare rates from various energy suppliers, including clean energy options, to find potential savings.
Conduct a Home Energy Audit
Discover where your home wastes energy and how to fix it with a professional (often free or discounted through utilities) or you can do a basic energy audit yourself! Auditors check insulation, windows, and heating and cooling systems, providing money-saving recommendations. The U.S. Department of Energy also offers a virtual tour for simple DIY energy-saving tips. Even small changes can significantly reduce your energy costs.
Weatherize Your Home
Seal gaps around doors and windows and improve insulation to maintain a comfortable temperature year-round, significantly reducing heating and cooling energy use. Insulation is the most cost-effective energy-saving measure. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks.
Discounts, Incentives & Financial Assistance
Explore programs like EmPOWER, Peak Hour Incentives, and household assistance programs to save money.
- EmPOWER: Get free energy-saving upgrades for limited-income households.
- Peak Hour Incentives: Earn savings from programs like PeakRewards by BGE that allow temporary thermostat adjustments during peak demand.
- Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP): Access energy bill assistance for low-income households.
Explore Community & Rooftop Solar Options
Community Solar: Subscribe to a local solar project and receive credits on your energy bill for the power generated. Find current Maryland projects and sign up online.
Rooftop Solar: Consider installing solar panels on your property. Use online calculators to estimate potential savings and research local incentives.
Financing Your Solar Project: Explore MCEC’s financing options to make solar more affordable:
- Solar for All: Apply for assistance to help cover upfront installation cost.
- Clean Energy Advantage Loan Program: Access loans with 0% financing for the first 12 months and reduced interest rates for home energy improvements, including solar.
Upgrade to New Efficiency Technologies
Newer technologies can make a significant difference in how much energy you use. Here are just a few:
- Lighting — LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs use significantly less electricity than traditional light bulbs. Replace old bulbs with LED lights to save energy.
- Smart Thermostats – When programmed, these thermostats enable more efficient energy management by reducing energy use during periods of low demand.
- Geothermal HVAC — Geothermal heat pumps provide a consistent, reliable, and clean source of energy. These systems are 400% more efficient than traditional heat pump systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that geothermal heat pumps can lower energy bills by 30% – 40%.
- Energy-Efficient Appliances: When it is time to replace appliances, look for ENERGY STAR-rated models, which use less energy and save you money over time.
BONUS: 8 Easy & FREE Ways to Save Energy (and Money!) Today
You don’t need big changes to see significant energy savings. Here are 8 no-cost ways to reduce your energy use today!
- Control Window Coverings: Pull curtains or shades to block sun and cool rooms in summer; open them in winter for free heating. (Windows account for 25-30% of home heating/cooling energy!)
- Adjust Your Thermostat: Lower it a few degrees in winter and raise it in summer to cut heating and cooling costs.
- Switch Off Lights: Make it a habit to turn off lights whenever you leave a room.
- Lower Water Heater Temperature: Reduce unnecessary energy use by setting your water heater to a lower, comfortable setting.
- Shorten Showers: Even a few minutes less in the shower saves significant water and energy.
- Wash Laundry Cold: Using cool water for laundry reduces the energy needed for heating.
- Optimize Drying: Use shorter dryer cycles or hang clothes to dry whenever possible.
- Unplug Electronics: Turn off and unplug devices when not in use to eliminate “phantom” energy drain.