Nowhere is energy efficiency more of a trend than in the electric utility industry. The current push is for utilities to find ways to help customers use less energy. This ultimately translates into less demand on natural resources used to fuel the production of electricity. And it helps delay the need to build new power plants.
The cheapest kilowatt-hour used is the kilowatt-hour saved. (Electricity is measured in kilowatt hours.) In other words, it’s much less expensive to save electricity than to build a new power plant to produce it.
The state of Ohio passed legislation in May 2008. Senate Bill 221 requires electric utilities to reduce electricity demand by 22% by the end of 2025. Dayton Power and Light of Dayton, OH, is working to implement a series of energy efficiency programs to meet state requirements.
This is great news for customers because if they choose to participate, they can save on their energy bills. Dayton Power and Light currently offers three energy efficiency programs for residential customers.
CFL Lighting
Replacing an incandescent bulb with a CFL is one of the simplest ways for customers to save energy and money. Dayton Power and Light has partnered with local retailers and lighting manufacturers to offer discounts on Energy Star-qualified compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs sold in local retail outlets. CFLs use 75% percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 10 times longer.
By participating in DP&L’s CFL Lighting Program and switching to CFLs, not only saves on the initial purchase of the bulb (average discount of $1.30), but you can save up to $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
The power company offers discounts throughout the Ohio service territory in retail outlets like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sam’s Club, and Meijer. No coupon or rebate is required. You can purchase the bulb and receive the discount at the register, just like it’s on sale. The discounts apply to a wide variety of bulb types, wattages, and colors.
When selecting a CFL for your home, it’s important to select the right wattage, color tone, and brightness.
- Wattage: CFLs use ¼ the energy used by incandescent bulbs. When determining the appropriate CFL wattage to replace your incandescent bulb, divide the incandescent wattage by 4. For example, 60/4 = 15: A 60W incandescent bulb should be replaced by a 13-15W CFL.
- Color tone: CFLs typically come in soft white, bright white, and daylight color tones. Soft white bulbs produce a warm, yellowish tone, similar to that of incandescent bulbs. Bright white bulbs produce a cooler, white tone. And daylight bulbs produce a tone with a hint of blue, making it appear like the light outdoors. Each color tone will look different in your home. It’s important to note which tone you prefer.
- Brightness: The light output (or brightness) of CFLs is measured in lumens. The higher the lumen rating, the brighter the light to the human eye. Check the CFL packaging to compare lumen ratings and find the one that’s right for you.
Appliance Recycling
Old refrigerators and freezers can use two-to-three times more energy than new, high-efficiency models. So by discontinuing the use of your old refrigerator or freezer, you can save up to $150 a year in energy costs.
With Dayton Power and Light’s Appliance Recycling Program, you can wash your hands of your old working refrigerators and freezers and start to save on your electric bills. DP&L will pick up the appliances for free and send them to be recycled in an eco-friendly way. Then they’ll send you a $25 check for participating.
DP&L customer, Chris Michael, was the first participant in the refrigerator recycling program. The utility company sent a moving crew to his home to pick up his old refrigerator/freezer that had been running in his garage since he purchased his new refrigerator for his kitchen. When both units were plugged in, Chris noticed a jump of $11-$15 on his monthly electric bill. The recycling program allowed him to save space in his garage, use less energy, and save on his electric bill.
Lower Your Electric Heating and Cooling Bills
Whether your AC system is broken and needs to be replaced or you want to upgrade to a higher efficiency system, DP&L helps underwrite the replacement costs with $200 to $600 in rebates. With Dayton Power and Light’s Heating and Cooling Rebates, homeowners save on the purchase of new, energy-efficient air conditioning and heat pump systems and also save on their energy bills.
Participating contractors can help you select and install a system that’s right for your home. When you purchase your new system, you will instantly receive the savings in the form of a credit shown on your contractor’s invoice–there’s no need to complete paperwork! The contractor submits it for you, and he gets reimbursed by DP&L.
DP&Ls energy efficiency programs provide effective ways for homeowners to use less energy and lower electric bills. But, simple and obvious as it may be, the easiest way to save money on your electric bill is to use less electricity. For more ideas of simple ways to save, download DP&L’s 100 Ways to Save brochure.
Dayton Power and Light is a featured exhibitor at the Dayton Home & Garden Show. For more tips, read about these green building products.
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