Your Energy Efficiency Day Planner

It’s long been said that it takes 21 days to form a habit. While the exact number of weeks or months may be up for debate, the concept isn’t—doing something regularly helps it become an automatic process. But for many, sticking to a routine takes some kind of structure, or, at the very least, some helpful guidance. Your Energize Connecticut℠ Sponsors want to help you make energy efficiency part of your daily routine rather than just a sporadic occurrence. To help, they have put together this flexible daily routine with tips for how to implement these measures. These little touchpoints can have a major impact on your environmental footprint and help you save on energy costs over time. Plus, you’ll find rebates and incentives throughout this guide to help with the cost of energy efficiency upgrades and purchases.

Daily Schedule:

Morning:

• Shorten your shower: According to the Environmental Protection Agency, standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Take shorter showers to reduce water usage and water heating costs. For even more benefits, consider upgrading your showerhead with everyday low costs from Eversource and United Illuminating.
• Wake up with the sun: Open your curtains or blinds to allow natural light into your room, and don’t turn on lights unless absolutely necessary.
• Dress appropriately for the weather: Weather hot or cold, dressing for the weather can reduce your need to increase or decrease your thermostat, helping you save energy on heating and cooling costs.
• Program your thermostat: Adjust your thermostat settings based on the time of day. Lower the temperature a bit during the cooler months and raise it during the warmer months to reduce heating and cooling costs while you are out of the house. Take it to the next level and install a smart programmable thermostat with savings from your Energize Connecticut Sponsors to make this part of your daily routine even easier! For bonus energy efficiency points, consider switching your HVAC system to a heat pump.

During the day:

• Take advantage of natural light: The theme continues! Whenever possible, try to use natural light. This could mean moving your vanity so you can get ready using natural light or positioning your desk/workspace to be near a window to reduce how much you rely on overhead lighting.
• Use energy-efficient appliances: Skip the oven or stovetop when preparing your lunch and opt for more energy-efficient appliances, like a microwave or toaster oven, instead. Did you know microwave ovens use up to 80% less energy than conventional ovens? Plus, they cook your food significantly faster!
• Energy-saving mode: Set your computer and other electronic devices to "energy-saving" or "sleep" mode when taking breaks to run errands or head to the office. This reduces energy consumption during idle periods.

Evening:

• Turn lights off: Unless you are actively using a room, turn lights off when you leave. For even more savings, make the switch to energy-efficient LED light bulbs, which last up to 25 times longer and use 90 percent less energy than traditional incandescent lighting.
• Cook more efficiently: Use lids on pots and pans to cook food faster, and match the size of your cookware to the size of the burner to avoid energy wastage.
• Switch up your washing routines: When using appliances like washing machines and dishwashers, run full loads to maximize their efficiency and use cold water settings when possible. According to General Electric, 75 to 90 percent of energy your washing machine uses comes from heating your water. Running these appliances during off-peak hours can help you save even more on energy bills by reducing strain on the electrical grid. For maximum savings, choose appliances that have the ENERGY STAR® label.

Whether you choose to implement one or all of these tips into your daily routine, your Energize Connecticut Sponsors want to help you make you energy efficiency a habit. No matter where you start, the important thing is that you do.