NSTAR Recommends Adding Energy Efficiency to Spring Cleaning “To-Do” Lists
April 13, 2010
With windows open wide to the warmth of longer days, many local residents are focused on spring cleaning and sprucing up the house. NSTAR is reminding customers that it’s also the perfect time to consider a few extra “to-do” items that will help save energy dollars now and into the hot summer months ahead.
“By adding a few simple chores to the list this spring, customers can benefit from immediate and future energy savings,” said NSTAR energy expert Bill Stack. “NSTAR can help customers make the most of their efforts with programs and services that will make homes more efficient for every season.”
The following checklists provide more detail about energy-saving tips and rebate programs.
- While enjoying the warmth of a spring day through open windows, remember to shut off the heating system. A thermostat will call for heat when it’s set to a temperature higher than the outside air.
- When cleaning windows, check to see if they’re in good condition. Loose, leaky or single-paned windows allow heated or cooled air to escape, taking energy dollars with it. Repair existing windows or consider replacing them with new ENERGY STAR-qualified windows
- When vacuuming and dusting, remember to clean under and in back of the fridge. Dust can easily build up on cooling coils, causing it to run less efficiently. If the fridge is more than ten years old, replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR-qualified model could save $100 a year or more.
- Unplug the old, inefficient fridge or freezer in the cellar – it’s wasting energy and money. If a second fridge or freezer is a must, be sure to keep it full. Water and ice work well for this.
- Remember to dust or wipe light bulbs, too. Clean bulbs provide more light for the money. Consider replacing standard incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs – they use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer.
- When washing spring clothes and linens, remember to adjust the water level to match the load size and use cold water whenever possible. Consider upgrading to an ENERGY STAR-qualified tumble washer to save water and energy.
- Use the dryer’s moisture-sensor option that automatically shuts it off when clothes are dry, and clean the lint filter before every load. For even greater savings, try hanging clothes outside to dry instead.
- Take a look at that old window air conditioner. If it’s in poor working order, consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR-qualified model. They use 10 percent less energy than conventional models.
- Programmable thermostats, a must for efficient heating, are just as important for central air conditioning. While offering greater convenience, accuracy and comfort, they can also save about $100 per year.
To help customers better afford improving the efficiency of their homes, NSTAR offers great rebates and a zero-interest loan program. Rebate examples include:
- 75 percent off the cost of insulation and air-sealing upgrades, up to $2,000.
- Up to $500 for the purchase of a new high efficiency oil- or propane-fired heating system.
- $300 for customers replacing an existing oil- or propane-fired tankless or freestanding hot water heater with an indirect-fired water heater.
- Up to $500 for a high-efficiency central air conditioning system.
- Up to $150 for upgrading to a qualifying, high-efficiency refrigerator.
- $25 for an ENERGY STAR-qualified programmable thermostat.
A few extra steps can go a long way this spring to help save money while saying goodbye to winter. For more energy-saving tips, an interactive energy calculator and home analyzer, and a complete list of energy efficiency programs and qualifications, visit www.nstar.com.
NSTAR is the largest Massachusetts-based, investor-owned electric and gas utility. The company transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, including more than one million electric customers in 81 communities and 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities.
