Electrification at Home
Energy waste is one of the most common household expenses, and while energy companies are working to develop cleaner, more efficient solutions, there is still more that can be done when you make adjustments at home. There are simple changes that homeowners can make to help reduce utility bills, thanks to the rising sophistication and effectiveness of LED lighting, home remodeling alternatives and smart home technologies. Explore how your family can cut down on energy costs and increase efficiency in your home below.
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Cooking
One flip of a stovetop knob can have you joining a worldwide movement called beneficial electrification. Are you ready to rethink a lot of the things you thought you knew about cooking?
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HVAC
In addition to heating, heat pumps provide air conditioning and humidity control. They work a lot like a refrigerator or air conditioner, using electricity and a refrigerant to move heat from one location to another.
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LED Lighting
Making the switch to LED light bulbs offers significant energy savings over incandescent and halogen alternatives. On average, LEDs consume 80% less energy when compared to incandescent light bulbs.
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Water Heaters
Conventional water heaters may be a thing of the past with the introduction of a variety of new energy-efficient water heaters. The type of water heater you choose will also affect your water heating costs.
Heating and Cooling with Heat Pumps
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, when paired with proper insulation, an electric heat pump can save over 30% on your heating and cooling bills compared to conventional HVAC systems. Here are some advantages of a heat pump:
- One system to heat your home in cold (even sub-zero) temperatures and keep it cool during warmer months
- Eliminate potential carbon monoxide exposure from combustion byproducts
- Costs substantially less to heat your home than propane or electric baseboard heat
Energy Saving Water Heaters
Another great way to embrace beneficial electrification is with a heat pump water heater (HPWH). They’re available in multiple sizes to fit any household size (including commercial applications) and have fast recovery to keep hot water flowing.
Your local electric cooperative or public power district is a good resource to understand more about this technology, and potentially can help answer questions on contractors, financing, and incentives for this energy-efficient option. Contact your co-op or public power district for more details.
HPWH one-sheeterBeneficial Electrification Tools and Outdoor Power Equipment
There are many benefits to using outdoor power tools. For starters, they’re low maintenance because electric models don’t require gasoline, oil changes, spark plugs or filters. Without having to purchase gasoline you save money and your garage or storage shed doesn’t have to smell like gas. Electric outdoor power tools store easily and are lightweight, making it easier to handle for all of your lawn and garden needs.
Besides the convenience, when you use electric tools you’re reducing your carbon footprint when you use rechargeable electric-powered tools. Electric gardening tools reduce emissions and energy consumption without sacrificing power or efficiency. Because an increasing amount of electricity is produced from renewable sources like solar, wind and hydropower, you can rest assured that these electric tools are not just good for your garden, they’re also good for the planet.
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Electric Grills
An electric grill allows you to take efficient cooking almost anywhere you go without the smoke from a fire, burden of propane tanks, charcoal, or messy clean-up.
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Electric Hedgetrimmers
An electric hedge trimmer with a heavy-duty blade will let you cut branches that are too thick for traditional pruning shears, eliminating the need to use several tools to shape your hedges.
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Electric Leaf Blowers
Replacing your gas-powered leaf blower with a clean, electric-powered model will help you clear leaves and debris efficiently with no reduced power or capacity.
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Electric Lawn Mowers
Gas-powered lawn mowers, weed eaters, and chainsaws all add emissions to the air. Investigating a tool powered by electricity is a great way to reduce your footprint.
