10 Ways to Go Greener for National Cut Your Energy Costs Day
Exercise more; eat healthier; spend more time with family and friends — these goals all topped the list of U.S. New Year’s resolutions for 2022, according to Statista’s Global Consumer Survey. If any of these mirror your own resolutions from last year, odds are you didn’t expect to become a marathon runner overnight. Just like most things in life, forming a habit takes time.
It’s not too late to add another resolution to your list for 2023. With National Cut Your Energy Costs Day just around the corner — on Tuesday, January 10 — the National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) is here to assure you that reducing your carbon footprint can be as simple as you make it.
NEIF recognizes the reality of energy efficiency measures that are taken by many home and business owners. Similarly to your other New Year’s resolutions, living a “greener” lifestyle is something that happens gradually, not suddenly.
As a result, NEIF adopted an incremental approach to climate change by encouraging consumers to “Go Greener, Affordably.”
10 Ways to Go Greener in 2023
- Consider Installing Motion Sensor Lights
According to The U..S. Department of Energy, lighting accounts for 15% of an average home’s electric bill. Installing motion sensor lights is a cost-effective strategy to reduce energy consumption, especially in low-traffic rooms or hallways where you might often forget to flip the lights off. - Use Smart Power Strips to Power Multiple Electronics
Devices such as Smart TVs, laptops, and cable boxes can continue to consume energy even while turned off. Smart power strips detect when these types of electronics are in standby mode — or “sleep” mode — and effectively cut off the power source to save energy. - Keep Your Refrigerator Clean and Maintained
Assuming that your refrigerator saw a lot of use around the holidays, keeping it clean, organized, and set to the proper temperature are all ways to ensure that it’s running at maximum efficiency. The Department of Energy suggests that dirt and dust should be cleaned and removed from coils at least every six months to a year. - Perform a Home Energy Audit
Start the new year off strong by knowing where your home stands in terms of energy efficiency: Where can you save on energy and costs? How can you improve? This assessment can be performed by your local energy utility, state or local government energy office, or by yourself at home. - Need to Upgrade Equipment? Work with an NEIF-Approved Contractor
From efficient HVAC equipment to water heaters, NEIF-Approved Contractors provide trusted and transparent financing options that make qualifying upgrades more affordable to homeowners. - Don’t Leave Your Cell Phone Plugged in Overnight
More than half of Americans prefer to change their smartphones overnight, but doing so uses energy for an unnecessary number of hours once past fully charged. - Recycle Old Electronics
Whether you received a new laptop for Christmas or are looking to free up some space in your home, recycle old electronics at stores such as Best Buy or Staples — some even incentivize these programs by offering coupons. - Know What Programs Are Available to You
NEIF partners with state energy offices and utilities to develop energy efficiency financing programs that appeal to homeowners who wish to install energy-efficient improvements. Read more about NEIF’s residential programs here. - Go Paperless: Pay Bills Online
When possible, opt to pay bills online to save on paper and to reduce unwanted mail that clutters your home! - Follow NEIF on Social Media for More Energy-Efficient Content
The easiest way to stay informed on NEIF’s programs, Approved Contractor network, and other energy efficiency resources is to follow us on all socials:
As the nation’s only Certified B Corp and U.S. DOE Home Improvement Expert lender, the core of NEIF’s mission is to make energy efficiency upgrades more affordable to home and business owners. Since its founding in 2017, NEIF has worked in tandem with a network of Approved Contractors, state utilities, manufacturers, and government officials to develop energy efficiency financing programs that are trusted and transparent.
Sources: National Energy Improvement Fund, PhoneArena, Statista, U.S. Department of Energy
