As we roll into summer, most of us are probably getting our yards into shape. It won’t be long before our flowerbeds are awash in color and our gardens are pumping out wheelbarrows full of zucchini (whether we like it or not). But have you thought about getting your house in shape for spring and summer? 不，我们说的不是基本的春季大扫除. We’re talking about making your home as energy efficient as possible – both to save you money and to keep our planet healthy and happy.

在全国范围内，我们的家庭使用了全国22%的澳门金沙登录. Each year a typical American household will spend at least $2,000 on home utility bills. Imagine extra money in your bank account just by changing a few things in your house!

We know it might seem odd for an energy company to focus on energy efficiency and sustainability, 但 我们致力于一个更清洁的澳门金沙登录未来. Last year we set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions intensity from our natural gas utility operations by 50% by 2035, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our electric operations by 40% by 2030 and 70% by 2040.

You can play a role by making your home as energy efficient as possible, 我们整理了一份想法清单，让你开始. 你们不仅会长期影响地球, 但你现在会影响到你的银行账户. 下面的很多步骤都很简单，很容易做到. The larger steps that require a purchase will pay off with the savings you’ll make in energy costs.
 

1. Improve the insulation in your home and seal any leaks.This is one of the quickest and most cost-effective tasks for reducing energy waste. Seal leaks first by caulking and weather-stripping seams and cracks. You probably already know w在这里 these drafty places are in your home – maybe a bedroom window w在这里 you can see the curtain move or maybe it’s the seal around the door leading to your garage. Don’t forget seals around plumbing, ducting or electrical wiring as well. Once the seals are complete, thoroughly insulate your home. 你会为减少澳门金沙登录消耗而感到兴奋. 在这里找到更多的天气小贴士.

2. 把灯泡换成节能的LED灯泡. Did you know that the average household puts about 6% of its energy budget into lighting? Simply by switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs, you can cut your energy bills fast. Plus, you may be eligible to get a rebate from Black Hills Energy for switching. 点击 在这里 澳门金沙登录信息.

3. 考虑安装一个智能恒温器. A smart thermostat is Wi-Fi enabled and it adjusts heating and cooling automatically for optimal efficiency and performance. These thermostats save you money by heating and cooling only as much as needed, which is good for the environment and good for your pocketbook. A case study by Nest showed the homeowners using smart thermometers saved an average of 10% to 12% on heating costs and 15% on air conditioning costs. And guess what, we also offer a rebate in some areas for that. 点击 在这里 澳门金沙登录信息.

4. Regularly clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner.

5. 考虑种植树木来遮蔽你的家和院子. Some re搜索 indicates that temps in the summer can be 3 to 6 degrees cooler in neighborhoods with plenty of shade from trees.

6. Turn down your hot water heater and ensure it’s insulated properly. Water heaters are the second largest energy user in a house, 约占水电费的18%.

7. 不要用洗碗机烘干. Instead, prop the door open once dishes are washed and allow them to air dry.

8. Leave your faucet in the cold position when you need a small amount of water. Faucets on the hot position pull hot water even though it may never reach the faucet.

9. Skip the oven and use something like a toaster oven instead.A toaster oven uses only about half as much energy as your full-size oven.

10. Make sure to clean the lint trap on your dryer regularly. Also, vacuum out the lint trap opening every so often. 可能有很多绒毛被困在那里.

11. 尽可能用冷水洗衣服. 如果可以的话，把衣服挂起来晾干.

12. When you’re done with your computer at the end of the day, switch it to sleep mode. 屏保不会降低显示器的能耗.

查看我们的 节能网页 澳门金沙登录节约澳门金沙登录和金钱的技巧. 你还在等什么? Get started today and begin thinking about ways to spend your savings.