The Buzz
SAVING ENERGY­—— GOOD FOR YOUR WALLET AND THE PLANET
SPRING 2017
Your window of opportunity
Simple tips to save this
spring
Spring is a great time to add comfort and curb appeal
to your home with energy-efficient windows. Installing
new ENERGY STAR® qualified windows can save
energy, lower utility costs and boost your home’s value.
When you replace your old windows, your heating and
cooling costs could shrink by up to 12 percent.
You can also get cash back from Energy Trust of Oregon when
you upgrade. With up to $4 cash back per square foot of windows
installed, the savings can really add up. For example:
6 windows x 12 square feet = 72 square feet
72 square feet x $4 cash back per square foot = $288 cash back
ENERGY STAR windows help your home stay warmer in winter and
cooler in the summer so you can enjoy consistent comfort. Highly
efficient windows can also reduce condensation and air leaks,
improving your indoor air quality.
Find a contractor near you who can install your windows and help
you apply for cash incentives at www.energytrust.org/windows.
Soak up the savings
A daily shower is one of the country’s leading
water-wasting habits, amounting to about 30
gallons each day per household. The average home could save
2,300 gallons of water a year—and reduce water heating
costs—just by switching to new, efficient showerheads. Keep the
same great water pressure while using less energy and water
when you install a WaterSense® showerhead.
Showerheads are available in a variety of styles and finishes to
fit your home. Plus, you can get reduced pricing on qualifying
WaterSense showerheads at participating retailers.
Energy Trust has teamed up with local retailers throughout
the state to offer discount pricing—no coupons needed. Visit
www.energytrust.org/showerheads to find a participating
retailer near you.
Spring is a great time to clean up your
home—and your energy bills. From lighting
to space heating, there are many no-cost
and low-cost improvements you can make to help reduce your energy usage.
Lighting tips:
• Install LEDs in your most-used lights to save on
energy costs. Kitchens and bathrooms are a great
place to start.
• Install motion sensors for your outdoor lights.
Heating and cooling tips:
• Add weather stripping to drafty doors and windows.
• Clean or replace filters regularly to help your
furnace, heat pump and air conditioner work at peak
efficiency.
• Install a smart thermostat to automatically adjust
your home’s temperature and help you save energy
all year long.
Appliance and electronics tips:
• Unplug battery chargers for power tools, mobile
phones, tablets, laptops and other devices when
not in use—they use energy even when they’re not
actively charging anything.
• Disable your screen saver and shut down desktop
computers at night.
For more easy ways to save energy and money,
visit www.energytrust.org/tips.
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Energy Trust is a nonprofit organization that offers
advice and cash incentives to make home energy
improvements more affordable. To learn more visit
www.energytrust.org/residential or call
1.866.368.7878.
Serving customers of Portland General Electric,
Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas
and Avista.