While politicians wage a battle of words over the Baltimore Gas and Electric rate increase, the responsibility to keep your electric bills manageable begins with you.
Each year, the average household spends about $1,900 on heating and cooling.
There are a number of energy-saving devices that can help you drastically conserve electricity.
“Through the Energy Policy Act of 2005, consumers are eligible for tax credits when switching to the highest efficiency level Energy Star products,” according to Linda Foy, a spokeswoman for BGE.
“Replacing your doors, insulation or roofing with Energy Star-qualified products qualifies for up to a $500 credit, windows up to $200, heating and air systems a flat $300 or installing a solar water system qualifies for up to $3,000,” said Enesta Jones, spokeswoman for the United States Environmental Protection Agency?s Energy Star program.
High-efficiency Energy Star appliances use 40 percent less energy than standard models and programmable thermostats can save you about $150 every year in energy costs, Jones said.
Other cost-cutting measures include changing your air filter regularly and tuning up your heating and cooling systems.
Most homes have two televisions, a VCR, a DVD player and three telephones. “They contribute over 25 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking three million cars off the road,” she said.
“Although BGE has no direct control over the volatility in the global energy market, the utility remains committed to using state-of-the-art technology as well as innovative ideas to address rising energy costs,” said BGE President Kenneth DeFontes Jr. in a statement.
“Once approved by the PSC, the Smart Energy Savers Program and the related capital investments that BGE is proposing will give customers more options for controlling energy costs.”
BGE?s program includes an Advanced Metering Infrastructure or “smart meter” that gives customers exact bills rather than estimated ones and allows them to go online to view their previous day?s usage; the Demand Response Infrastructure or “smart thermostat” provides a $50 annual credit to customers who install it in their homes; and the Energy Efficiency component offers rebates and incentives to those who purchase high efficiency Energy Star products.
Qualifying limited income natural gas and electric customers and senior citizens in the Comprehensive Home Improvement Program can receive weatherization services.
For more tips, go to www.epa.gov.
