Energy Conservation Tips

Hot Weather Days
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​9 WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY DURING HOT WEATHER
Summer is here and with higher temperatures comes higher electric bills. Here are 9 tips to save energy this summer.

1. Set your thermostat to a comfortable level. For every degree you raise your thermostat above 72˚, you save up to 3% on cooling expenses.
2. Close blinds and curtains on sunny days. This can help reduce incoming heat by 30%.
3. Using fans will help you feel cooler. The use of fans will allow you to raise your thermostat 4˚ while maintaining the same level of comfort. 
4. Turn off lights and fans when you leave a room. Fans cool people, not rooms.
5. Check heating and air conditioning filters regularly.
6. Weather-strip doors and caulk seams, cracks, and openings to keep the hot air out.
7. Run your washer, dryer, and dishwasher in the evening when it is cooler. Only run full loads when using these appliances and skip the heated dry cycle on your dishwasher. 
8. Avoid using stoves and ovens during the hottest part of the day.
9. Unplug appliances that are not in use. Even if they are turned off, they can still use power if they are plugged in.

TIPS FOR PREVENTING HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS

1. Stay Hydrated
2. Schedule Outdoor Activities Carefully
3. Wear Appropriate Clothing
4. Know the Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illnesses

LED Lighting
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Installation of  LED lighting is a conservation measure to reduce consumption and demand for electric energy. According to recent resource planning studies, converting older lighting to LED lighting is one of the most cost-effective electric conservation measures available. ​​LEDs have revolutionized the energy market, ushering in considerable efficiencies and savings to homeowners and businesses that use them.  In fact, the United States Department of Energy reports that LEDs are one of today's most energy-efficient and rapidly developing lighting technologies.

Top 10 reasons for converting to LED lighting:

1. LED lights last longer than fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. An LED light left on for eight hours a day would last close to 20 years.
2. An LED light converts about 80 percent of electric energy to light compared to an incandescent light that only converts 20 percent to light and 80 percent to some other energy form such as heat.
3. LED lighting is more eco-friendly than incandescent or fluorescent. LED lights contain no toxic materials and are 100 percent recyclable.
4. LEDs components can withstand rough conditions because they are resistant to shock, vibrations and external impacts.
5. LED produces little infrared light and close to no ultraviolet (UV) emissions.
6. LEDs can be combined in any configuration. Individual LEDs in a lighting array can be controlled individually, resulting in a dynamic light and color distribution.
7. Operational in extreme temperatures, LEDs are ideal for cold outdoor weather when low temperatures may affect operation of fluorescent lights.
8. LED is designed to focus light and can deliver light to specific locations more efficiently than conventional lighting.
9. LED lights brighten immediately, giving them great advantages for security lighting and lighting in public places such as street lights. Also,​ LED lights can switched off and on frequently and without affecting lifetime or light emission. 
10. A low-voltage power supply is sufficient for LED illumination. This makes it easy to use LED lighting with a solar-energy source and is a big advantage in remote or rural areas.