by Mary Shepherd, HFHSC Family & Volunteer Coordinator
I recently attended a presentation on energy-saving programs available to residents in Summit County. I would like to share the information with you now. I hope you find the information as valuable as I have!
Appliance Turn-In Program FirstEnergy will pick up and recycle your old refrigerator or freezer and will pay you $50 for doing it! You can receive an additional $25 for recycling a room air conditioner or dehumidifier along with the fridge or freezer. To qualify you must be an electric customer of FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities, own the appliance(s), and the appliances must still work. Call 1-855-485-7463 to participate in this program.
Residential Comprehensive Audit Program FirstEnergy customers can receive a no-cost home audit. During the audit, a professional Building Performance Institute certified auditor will visit your home and
- provide a top-to-bottom inspection of your home’s energy efficiency;
- install up to $200 in energy-saving products such as LED lightbulbs, smart power strips and LED nightlights;
- provide a comprehensive report summarizing the efficiency of your home;
- recommend low-cost and no-cost energy-saving solutions.
For more information call 1-855-314-9962.
Community Connections Program Community Connections will provide a free in-home energy use evaluation to low-income homeowners and renters. This includes free energy-saving home improvements such as
- sealing air leaks in attic walls or foundations
- appliance testing and possible replacement
- electric water heater inspection
- faucet aerators
For more information, including income guidelines, click on https://firstenergycorp.com/save_energy/save_energy_ohio/for_your_home/community_connections.html
Energy Conservation Kit Program Residential customers of Ohio Edison are eligible to receive a free energy conservation kit. The kit includes several LED light bulbs, one three-way CFL bulb, a furnace filter whistle and two LED night lights. To participate, complete the form at https://www.ohioenergykit.com
Our homeowner education presentation on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 6 PM will discuss these and other energy-saving programs in more detail. Plan to attend!
Energy Savers
Air Conditioner –Save 3% of the energy used for each degree above 75 degrees that you set your air conditioner
Clothes Washer – Wash full loads which can save you more than 3,400 gallons of water per year.
Computer — Turn off the monitor when you shut down the computer. The monitor can use twice as much energy as the computer!
Dryer—To avoid over-drying your clothes, use the moisture sensor to automatically turn off your dryer when the clothes are dry.
ENERGY STAR Products – Always buy ENERGY STAR certified products to save energy.
Furnace – Seal and insulate your furnace ducts to improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20%.
HVAC – Check your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) air filters once a month during heavy use months in winter and summer. Replace filters at least every 3 months.
Microwave – Save energy by using your microwave or toaster oven instead of the stove to heat small portions.
Refrigerator – Keep your refrigerator at 35 to 38 degrees.
Water Heater—Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or only as hot as needed. Turn off your water heater when you are on vacation.