Ways to Save
Saving energy
Today, the most affordable form of new energy is conservation — using what we already generate as efficiently as possible.
Energy saving tips
Electricity works hardest to heat and cool our homes. Here are some simple tips to help reduce your energy use.
Summer tips
TEMPERATURE
- If you have air conditioning, set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. A recommended 78 degrees if you are home and warmer if you are away.
- Reduce your electric water heater to 120 degrees.
FANS
- Use ceiling and other portable room fans to increase your cooling efficiency without having to lower your thermostat. Be sure to turn any fans off when you leave the area as they are made to cool people and not rooms.
AIR CONDITIONING (A/C)
- Have your A/C or heat pump serviced regularly to maintain its best efficiency and capacity.
- Clear weeds or other items around outdoor units.
- Clean or replace your cooling unit filters regularly to maximize their efficiency.
WINDOWS
- Block sunlight entering your home using curtains or window shades.
- Open your windows at night to let in cooler air. Be sure to close any open windows by mid-morning to hold the cool air in.
COOKING
- Plan meals that can be made on a grill, in the microwave or prepared in advance to avoid using the oven or stove during the hottest part of the day.
CLEANING
- Wash laundry and dishes with full loads. Wash laundry loads on cold cycle.
- When possible, air dry clothes outdoors and cancel the drying cycle on your dishwasher to let items air dry.
LEAKS
- Sealing air leaks around windows and doors can save energy and money. Check for drafts around windows, doors and seals. Replace worn weather seals and/or caulk gaps where you feel drafts.
- If you suspect air ducts are leaking, contact an HVAC contractor for duct sealing options.
Winter tips
PREPARE YOUR HOME
- Schedule a service visit for your central heating system to see what maintenance is required to keep it operating efficiently.
- Ensure your central heating system has a properly fitted and clean air filter installed.
- If you have a heat pump, avoid switching your system to "E Heat" or "Aux Heat" as most heat pumps can provide heat to your home even as temperatures dip into the low teens.
- Close or plug your foundation vents. This will keep your home warmer and help protect against frozen water pipes.
- Check the weather stripping on exterior doors and windows. Adjust or replace if worn or missing.
- Cover drafty windows and permanent wall-unit air conditioners by using a heavy-duty clear plastic. The plastic should be sealed tightly to reduce cold air entering your home.
- As colder temperatures arrive, close drapes in the evening and on overcast days to help retain heat within your home. Ensure your drapes do not obstruct heat registers.
FANS
- Use ceiling fans to gently direct rising heat downward. This makes the room feel warmer without turning up the heat.
ADJUST THE TEMPERATURE
- When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as comfortably possible.
- When you are asleep or out of your home, turn the thermostat down even further. A programmable thermostat can help you adjust your heat to match your schedule. If you have a heat pump, it is recommended to not drop your thermostat lower than 4°F below your normal heat setting.
- Lower the heat setting on your water heater. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 18 percent of a household's energy consumption is from water warming. Keeping your temperature at 120°F will help you see small changes in your energy bill.
LIGHTING CHOICES
- Replace incandescent lighting with energy-efficient LED lights.
- Use timers and motion sensors to reduce the operating hours of interior and exterior lights left on for security purposes.
Calculate your use
How much energy do my electrical appliances and equipment use?
This calculator estimates the cost to run your appliances each month. We hope it offers insight into where you can save. Give it a go! Click on the appliances used in your home. Scroll down below the list and type in the hours in the box that pops up to calculate your costs.
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Baseboard Heater
1500 Watts (6ft)/hr -
Ceiling Fan
75 watts/hr -
CFL Bulb
14 watts/hr -
Clothes Dryer
3400 watts/hr -
Clothes Washer
429 watts/hr -
Computer
400 watts/hr -
Dishwasher
1800 watts/hr -
Freezer
273 watts/hr -
Electric Furnace
17221 watts/hr -
Hair Dryer
1538 watts/hr -
Heat Pump
9000 watts/hr -
Incandescent Bulb
60 watts/hr -
Incandescent Holiday Lights
500 Watts/hr (100 string) -
Iron
1500 watts/hr -
Laptop
50 watts/hr -
LCD TV
213 watts/hr -
LED Bulb
12 watts/hr -
LED Holiday Lights (100)
60 watts/hr -
Microwave
1500 watts/hr -
Monitor
150 watts/hr -
Plasma TV
339 watts/hr -
Portable Fan
100 watts/hr -
Wall Oven
5000 watts/hr -
Refrigerator
188 watts/hr -
Room Air Conditioner
5000 watts/hr -
Space Heater
1500 watts/hr -
Standard TV
150 watts/hr -
Toaster Oven
1200 watts/hr -
Water Heater
4500 watts/hr -
Well Water Pump
1000 watts/hr (per HP)
APPLIANCE | WATTS | HRS/MONTH | COST |
---|---|---|---|
Click an icon above to add appliance | 000 | enter | $0.00 |
TOTAL: | 000 | 000 | $0.00 |
Clear all
APPLIANCE | WATTS | HRS/MONTH | COST |
---|---|---|---|
TOTAL: | 000 | 000 | $0.00 |
Calculate approx monthly cost to run appliances
- Click an icon to see it appear in the box below
- Enter amount in Hrs/Month for approx cost
- Select additional appliances to compare
Rooftop Solar FAQs
You may have been hearing more about rooftop solar for homes and businesses lately. The frequently asked questions section will help answer some of the more common questions we receive at Grant PUD regarding these programs.
Grant PUD has a neutral stance on home solar installs. We encourage customers to go into your solar investment fully educated, with clear expectations. Be careful when speaking to solar company salespeople as some of their claims may be untrue for our area.
Yes, every Kilowatt hour(kWh) of energy you generate from solar lowers your bill by that amount.
A typical 10-Kilowatt (KW) system in our area generates around 12,000 kWh for the year. Averaged at 1,000 kWh a month, this would lower the bill by 1,000 X $0.04547, or $45.47, on average each month. $0.04547 is the kWh charge by Grant PUD as of May 1, 2022.
No. Grant PUD has a $20 minimum charge each month, even if you use no energy that month. We do not purchase customers' excess solar generation.
Upon signed agreement and application approval, Grant PUD will install a Net Meter in place of the existing meter. This Net Meter will record the energy Grant PUD provides to you and will also record the energy you provide to Grant PUD. Excess energy you provide to Grant PUD is subtracted from the energy Grant PUD provides to you and you are billed on the difference.
If you provide Grant PUD more energy than you use for the billing period, you are billed the minimum charge and any excess energy is “banked” for you for future use. Banked amounts can carry forward month to month but not year to year. Per State Law, this banked amount is eliminated March 31 of each year.
Yes. As of May 1, 2022, the kWh rate charged is $0.04547. Twenty years ago, the rate was $0.03293 per kWh.
Solar panels and other solar equipment has continued to improve, but solar panels still have degradation (lower performance) each year. The financial effect is not exactly the same, but similar to a rate increase.
In the past, there was a WA State rebate, but that rebate availability ended a few years ago. WA State does offer a sales tax exemption and the Federal Government has a tiered renewable energy tax credit.
If you are thinking about installing solar, we encourage you to look at the energy you have used in the past twelve months and get a quote for a system close to 90% of that load.
While not the same every year or for every system, a typical system in our area puts out around 1,200 kWh for each 1 KW.
Example: if your twelve-month usage equals 15,000, a system size would be calculated as (15,000 X 90% = 13,500. 13,500/1,200 kWh = 11.25 KW). Since roof slope and direction to south is different on each home (or business), please consult with the installer(s) about the proper size of your system.
Depending on rate increases and numerous weather factors the above noted system could be expected to save you around $12,000 worth of kWh’s over a twenty year period.
If you have installed solar or other clean energy sources, review and complete the application form below and return to Grant PUD Energy Services. .
How Net Metering Works
STEP 1
Renewable energy is generated for use at the home.
STEP 2
An inverter converts the renewable energy into electricity used within the home.
STEP 3
A production meter installed at the home measures the amount of energy created by your generator.
STEP 4
Any excess energy generated is sent to the grid. The same amount of energy is later returned to you at no cost.
Contact Energy Services
If you have questions or want more information about any of our energy saving programs, contact Energy Services.