JACKSON, Wyo. — Celebrate National Energy Efficiency Day on Wednesday, Oct. 4 and Energy Awareness Month this October. Read on for ways to celebrate energy efficiency and learn twenty tips from the Jackson Hole Power Challenge! 

What is energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency means using less energy to do the same job – lowering energy bills and reducing emissions. Many products, homes and buildings use more energy than needed, through inefficiencies and energy waste. Residents have an opportunity to improve their energy use and can address energy waste.

“Energy efficiency is the cheapest, quickest way to reduce energy waste and lower energy costs,” ECW Program Manager Megan Jennings said.

For a better understanding of how home energy projects compare to each other, check out the Pyramid of Conservation.

Thinking about a home energy efficiency project?

LVE rebates, 30% investment tax credits and Energy Conservation Works 1.5% financing over five years, are available to tackle home energy efficiency projects. Contact Amy at Lower Valley Energy to learn how to take advantage of the project’s incentives and set up a home energy audit. 

How can residents celebrate Energy Awareness Month and be more energy efficient? 

There are various ways that the community can participate in cutting energy waste and be more efficient. The actions Energy Conservation Works has outlined below range from changing a behavior, completing a home maintenance task to completing a home project. Read on to learn 20 tips to try out this October. 

Become more energy-aware!

One of the best places to start is understanding how much and when to use energy. Download the Lower Valley Energy SmartHub App today to track energy use and learn ways to reduce it. 

Up for the challenge?

The Jackson Hole Power Challenge gives step-by-step instructions on how to complete energy-efficient actions and measure the impact. The Jackson Hole Power Challenge is an online climate action platform that gives tools and information needed to take real actions to reduce waste, lower emissions and create a brighter, more resilient future for the community. The Jackson Hole Power Challenge has 20 energy tips to choose from to help track the impact. Share wins on the leaderboards, invite family and friends and build a community of change. 

Join the Jackson Hole Power Challenge today a Jacksonholepowerchallenge.org.

Behaviors to be mindful of:

  1. Be Heat Wise. There are lots of clever ways to keep the home warm and reduce the work of a heater. Simple things like opening drapes to let the sunshine in during the day and then closing them at night can save energy and money.
  2. Adjust thermostat. Turn the thermostat down in the winter or up in the summer just a few degrees and save both energy and money!
  3. Turn stuff off. The simple act of turning lights and electronics off when not in use really pays off. Learn when to turn off lights and electronics for maximum benefit.
  4. Dry Wisely. Clothes dryers use more energy on average than any other appliance, even your refrigerator. Follow a few simple tips on how to dry clothes wisely, save money and extend the life of clothes.
  5. Line Dry Clothes. What is one of the simplest ways to reduce energy use? Harness the power of the sun and wind to dry clothes! Line drying saves money and extends the life of clothes. Plus, there’s nothing like the fresh smell of line-dried clothes.
  6. Stay Cool. Air conditioning accounts for up to 6% of a home’s energy on average for homes with AC. A few easy steps can help to keep cool, lower AC use and save money.
  7. Retire Extra Refrigerator/Freezer. An extra refrigerator or freezer can cost up to an extra $250 per year! The older it is, the higher the cost. Is an extra fridge really needed?

Routine Maintenance:

  1. Home Energy Checkup. Get expert advice on how to save energy, reduce impact and create a more comfortable, cozier home, including easy low or no-cost actions that can save money right away!
  2. Weatherize My Home. One of the most cost-effective energy-saving measures is to seal air leaks in the home. Save from 5-15% of home heating and cooling by simply plugging holes. It can be done with just a few dollars in supplies.
  3. Maintain Central Heat Ducts. Forced air heating or cooling can lose up to 20-30% or more of energy through the duct system. Insulating and maintaining ducts will save energy and make the home healthier and more comfortable!

Energy Projects that qualify for the ECW Home Loan Program:

  1. Weatherize and Insulate the Attic. Insulating and weatherizing the attic can provide some of the biggest energy savings in the home. Save up to 30% off heating and cooling bills while making the home more comfortable year-round.
  2. Insulate Floors and Walls. Insulating floors and exterior walls can create big home energy savings, up to 20% or more in heating and cooling costs. It also increases the comfort and value of the home.
  3. Replace Single-Pane Windows. Replacing single-pane windows with energy-efficient double-pane windows can reduce heating and cooling bills by up to 20% or more. It will also make the home more comfortable—cozier in the winter and cooler in the summer.
  4. Install Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest ways to save energy and lower impact is to turn down the heat or AC when not home. A Smart Thermostat makes this easy and does so much more—creating a more comfortable home and saving up to 15% on home heating and cooling bills.

Additional Efficiency Tips

  1. Upgrade Refridgerator/Freezer. Older refrigerators use up to 2-3 times the energy of newer models. Find out when to replace an old refrigerator to save significant energy and money!
  2. Install Smart Lighting Controls. Turning off lights just got easier! Upgrade to WiFi-controlled smart lighting, timers or other lighting options and save up to 30% of the energy used for lighting.
  3. Install Smart Power Strips. Most electronics are drawing power when not in use. This “vampire load” adds up to cost the average home up to $200/year! Installing smart power strips can reduce vampire loads and save money.
  4. Switch to LEDs. Replacing just 5 incandescent light bulbs with LEDs can save $60 or more per year in electricity costs! Upgrading to LEDs is one of the easiest ways to save energy and money.
  5. Upgrade Air Conditioner. Air conditioning uses 5% of all the electricity in the U.S.  Switching to a high-efficiency air conditioner can reduce air conditioning energy use by 15-50% depending on when the air conditioner was made.
  6. Replace AC Filters. Regularly replacing air filters is an inexpensive way to keep heating and cooling systems in top shape and ensure healthy home air quality. It also can save from 5% – 15% on air conditioning costs.