Energy Efficiency
The cheapest, cleanest, and safest form of energy is the energy we don't use. There are a lot of things you can do to reduce energy usage in your home.
Read our booklet "What you Need to Know about Your Heating Oil System".
Three simple things you can start doing today:
To turn on savings, turn it off – Turning off lights, computers, appliances, stereos and computers when not in use can easily save you over $100/year. For even more savings, unplug wall chargers when not in use—otherwise they’ll draw electricity even when not being used.
Change a bulb, change the world – Change all your lightbulbs to Energy Star-rated compact fluorescent bulbs immediately, so that you can begin savings today. For every five bulbs you change, you can save over $100 dollars/year! A great online source for bulbs.
Call in the experts, and access incentives – Call RISE at 1-800-422-5365 to get your free energy audit. They will direct you to additional measures, and help you get special rebates and loans for things like Energy Star refrigerators, insulation, and weatherization.
Big ticket items...
can mean big savings: Are you buying a new heating system, computer, appliance.or even a new home? Be sure to insist that your new purchase be Energy Star rated. Click here for information about the Energy Star rating so that you can be sure you are getting the best appliances and homes.
9 Quick Tips
There's a lot of ways to save energy around the home. But there's not a lot of time in the day. So here are ten quick, energy saving tips that you can do as you go about your daily routine or household chores.
- Weather-strip a door: Air leaking through a door?; Your wasting energy as if you left a window open all winter! Stop the air leaks around a door jam with one continuous strip for best results.
- Turn your thermostat down 2 degrees: Most folks are still quite comfortable in a house that's two degrees cooler (especially after you've stopped those drafts from leaking doors!)
- Use ventilation fans wisely .Bathroom fans can suck a whole houseful of heated air out into the cold in just a few hours. Install a timer so the fan runs only as long as required.
- Set your water heater's thermostat to 120 degrees: It's safer and more efficient. Hot water for showers uses almost half of your heating budget a year. Reduce the heat and you reduce the cost.
- Install a low flow showerhead: A $15 low flow shower head could save as much as $100 of hot water. Not only do you save heating money, you save water. It's quick and easy, too.
- Replace old light bulbs with CFL Bulbs: Over 25% of your energy costs are consumed by light bulbs. A compact fluorescent light fixture can cut costs by 75% and they last longer.
- Make your next large appliance purchase an EnergyStar Appliance: New products are smarter and more efficient, particularly the ones with the EnergyStar label. Televisions, washer, dryers, refrigerators all offer energy dividends under the EnergyStar program.
- Use the sleep mode on your computer: Some computer monitors uses as much energy as a 100-watt light bulb. In addition the CPU can use that amount or more. Using the sleep feature of your computer can make you a smart conserver.
- Turn off the light when you aren't using them: Sound obvious, but we all get lazy. If no one is there to see the light, it's a waste. Turn it off, and save.
Community-Wide Initiatives
Links
 Help for those that need it the most: If you are receiving Heating Assistance (LIHEAP), your home might be eligible for special weatherization assistance. Please contact your LIHEAP agency for more information. Find the LIHEAP agency nearest you.
Also, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has information for consumers, technicians, and policy makers on efficiency for heating, cooling, electricity, and transportation.
National Grid has growing programs to help you afford to invest in energy efficiency for your home.
Non-residential users: Please contact your National Grid account manager for special efficiency programs tailored to your needs.
Tips for improving your driving mileage and emissions.
A self guided energy audit.
Earth Saving Tips for your lifestyle.
Energy Use Guide for the homeowner.
Things you need to know about your furnace.
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