Stay comfy and save energy When summer heat or winter cold reach their peak, your bill may reflect more energy usage due to the extreme temperatures outside. Making small changes to your energy use can help you lower your energy use and costs. BGE puts you in control with easy tools and programs that help you save big. Winter savings When winter cold strikes, heating typically accounts for more than 40% of customer energy use. Take these simple steps to reduce your wintertime energy consumption. Maintain your heating system Did you know that heating your home is the highest energy user? You can help ensure your heating system is ready for winter by scheduling an HVAC Tune-up at no additional cost. Adjust your thermostat settings If your health permits, try to keep your thermostat set to 68° in the winter. For each degree lower than 68°, you could save up to 5% on heating costs. Add insulation According to energystar.gov, 9 out of 10 homes in the U.S. are under-insulated. Sealing air leaks (for example, around windows, doors and the foundation) and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces, and basements can save homeowners an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs Lower your water heater setting Water heating accounts for about 18% of home energy consumption. Reduce hot water usage by installing faucet aerators and efficient-flow showerheads, and adjusting your hot water heater to 120°F, or the low setting. PreviousNext Summer savings As temperatures rise, so does energy use. Here are a few ways to beat the heat this summer while using less energy. Reduce kitchen heat Cook outdoors on a grill when possible. Small cooking appliances such as microwaves, toaster and convection ovens, air fryers, and slow cookers also use less energy and generate less heat than a standard oven. Keep air moving In the summer, switch ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise to create a cooling downward airflow. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms, so turn off the ceiling fan when you leave the room. Skip the dryer Only wash full loads of laundry (but don’t overload) and use cold water when possible. Consider hanging clothes to dry if you can—or drying at a lower temperature setting. If your dryer has an auto-dry setting, use it, and be sure to clean your dryer’s lint trap after every use. Cook with care Cooking on the stove top? A 6″ pot on an 8″ burner wastes over 40% of the burner’s heat. Using the right-sized pot on stove burners can save about $36 annually for an electric range, or $18 for gas. PreviousNext Year-round savings No matter the season, there are always ways to use less and save more. Try these strategies to lower your energy use all year long. Reduce lighting usage Be sure to turn off unnecessary lights and use LEDs, which can save you around $80 over the lifetime of each light bulb. Save on lighting. Replace air filters regularly Filters that become dirty and clogged can significantly reduce your heating and cooling system’s efficiency. We recommend replacing your air filters every 30–90 days based on the type and efficiency of your filter. Keep vents clear Make sure furniture, drapes, rugs or other objects aren’t blocking the airflow through your registers. Vacuum your air intake vents regularly to remove any dust buildup. Use My Account online tools Tools like the Home Energy Analysis and High Usage Alerts can help you make changes to make your home more efficient and stay on top of your energy use. PreviousNext