Energy-Saving Tips at Home

By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Friday, March 19th, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

BAKER COUNTY – (Release from Idaho Power) Whether it’s working or schooling or even just relaxing, many people are still spending more time at home this year. Lots of time around the house can lead to increased energy use, so Idaho Power is here to help with some energy-saving tips:

Minimize your gadget use when possible. Remember, extra monitors, keyboards and computers use extra energy. Try out a “no electronics night” for the whole family.
Enable power-save settings on computer equipment, televisions and gaming systems, and when you’re away for longer periods, turn them off completely. Electronics in standby mode still use energy.
Use a power strip — or better yet a smart power strip — to control groups of electronics like computer or video equipment.
Feel a draft? Seal air leaks around windows using either rope caulk or a caulking gun.
Use a drying rack or clothesline instead of a dryer, especially when the weather starts to warm.
Change the filter in your air handler. Dirty filters reduce a system’s efficiency.
It’s a great time to use your pressure cooker! By cooking food at a higher temperature and pressure, you can reduce cooking time significantly and cut energy use by at least 50%.

And don’t forget to keep an eye on your energy use and prevent any surprises by using the online tools in My Account. Sign up at my.idahopower.com, where you can also set up bill threshold alerts. For more energy-saving advice, visit idahopower.com/save.