On average, Americans spend about $2,000 annually on energy bills while wasting up to $400 on air leaks and outdated heating and cooling systems. Follow these tips to save energy around your home.
Upgrade Your Appliances
- Invest in ENERGY STAR® certified appliances. Appliances account for about 15% of your household’s energy consumption, with refrigerators, clothes washers and clothes dryers at the top of the list. Washington Gas offers dryer rebates to help make the equipment more affordable.
- Install a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats can automatically adjust heating and cooling temperatures when you are at home or away, resulting in more efficiency and enhanced comfort. Plus, they allow you to adjust your home’s temperature remotely through your smartphone. Virginia customers can also receive a smart thermostat rebate through our Washington Gas Home Energy Savings Program: Virginia.
Upgrade Your Heating Systems
- Upgrade your furnace or boiler. Replacing your old heating equipment with ENERGY STAR certified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by nearly $140. Home heating equipment typically lasts about 15 years, depending on the model. Upgrading to a high-efficiency furnace or boiler can help lower your bills and may be more affordable with Washington Gas home heating rebates in Maryland and Virginia.
- Upgrade your water heater. Water heating is the second largest energy expense in today’s homes, accounting for around 13% of your overall energy usage. Water heaters typically last 10 to 15 years, depending on the model. Upgrading to a high-efficiency model can help you save money year-round. Washington Gas offers water heater rebates for Virginia and Maryland residents to help make new equipment more affordable.
Seal and Insulate Your Home Well
- Seal air leaks and add insulation. Most homes can benefit from air sealing and additional insulation to reduce drafts and keep heated or conditioned air from escaping the house. Air that leaks from your home’s outer walls, windows, doors and other openings wastes energy and increases your utility bill each month. Air sealing and insulation can help make your home more comfortable, reduce outside noise, reduce allergens in the home, control humidity and reduce roof leaks from ice or snow.
- Apply weather stripping to windows and doors. Weather stripping reduces drafts and blocks energy loss through windows and doors. The right weather stripping, when installed correctly, can pay off significantly in energy savings.
- Install energy-efficient windows and doors. Replacing windows and doors in your home can be expensive, but the return on investment makes it worthwhile. Having ENERGY STAR certified windows and doors in your home can reduce your energy bill by an average of 12%.
Find More Ways to Save
Complete your online home energy profile. The online home energy assessment can help you understand your energy use, identify potential cost savings and learn about rebates available from Washington Gas. The survey takes just five minutes to complete and doesn’t require sign-up.
Get rebates from Washington Gas. We offer rebates on high-efficiency natural gas equipment to help you save. To qualify, eligible equipment must be purchased and installed by an Washington Gas Home Energy Savings Contractor. Learn more about residential rebates.