Does Your Home Make the (Up)Grade?

Home Heating and Cooling, Home Lighting and Electronics

When it comes to reducing your overall energy use and saving extra money, all energy efficiency upgrades are awesome. But if you want to get the biggest bang for your buck, there are some upgrades that just can’t be beat.

So whether you’re new to saving energy and need advice, want to boost your home’s resale value, or are moving into a new home and want to start smart, make these five upgrades so your home can make the grade!

Switch to LEDs

You don’t have to spend a lot to save a lot. In fact, switching to LED lightbulbs is one of the smartest and simplest upgrades you can make. Your average LED bulb uses 75-90% less energy than an incandescent bulb. Now multiply those savings by every lightbulb in your house and your savings can really stack up. Save even more with instant rebates from us for up to $2 per bulb.

Upgrade Your HVAC

Your home’s biggest energy user is likely your HVAC. This is especially true in Oklahoma, where our winters are cold, our summers are hot and the weather can change its mind at the drop of a hat. Basically, your HVAC is getting a workout all year long.

By switching out your old unit for an ENERGY STAR®-certified one, you can save up to 40% per year on cooling costs. And with PSO rebates up to $800, upgrading your HVAC is one of the biggest and best investments you can make.

Install Extra Ceiling Fans

There’s a reason we’re big fans of fans: They can help you save a lot of energy. Before turning down the A/C in the summer or turning up the heater in the winter, try switching your fan’s spin instead.

Set your fan to spin counterclockwise in the summer to push cold air down, and switch it to clockwise in the winter to pull cold air up and push warm air down. If you don’t adjust your thermostat, ceiling fans can save up to 8% on your home’s energy use. So if you’re looking for a great investment, look up. Ceiling fans are tops!

Consider a Heat Pump Water Heater

Most home’s second-biggest energy user? The water heater. If you’re using an old water heater, chances are you’re paying to heat your water around the clock. Talk about inefficient. No wonder water heaters account for nearly 20% of your home’s energy use. Yikes!

A heat pump water heater doesn’t generate heat like a normal water heater, but instead moves heat from one place to another, saving you up to 63% more energy per year. Save an extra $500 with a rebate from us.

Be Wiser About Electronics

You’d be amazed how much electricity your electronics are using just by sitting idle. They’re called “energy vampires” because most electronics continue to pull electricity even when they’re not in use.

You could unplug your electronics, but a lot of times that’s impractical. We recommend switching to ENERGY STAR®-certified home electronics, which can use up to 30% less energy than normal electronics. You can also change out your old power strips for ADVANCED power strips, which stop your electronics from draining electricity when they’re not in use (and come with instant rebates worth up to $14).

Start with these five upgrades and your home will be well on the way to making the grade.