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Alliant Energy's PowerHouse is an award-winning educational program designed to help you improve the energy efficiency, safety and comfort of your home.
PowerHouse Tip of the Month
Every month we offer energy-efficient home improvement tips. These seasonal suggestions can help lower your bill all year long.
May tip of the month: Set your thermostat higher to save this summer
Keep your cool and pocket savings on energy costs during the hot months. Here’s how.
The greater the difference between the outside temperature and the temperature you set your thermostat, the harder your air conditioner must work to keep you cool.
To save big, set your thermostat a little higher. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re home and awake, and seven to 10 degrees warmer when you’re not. A smart thermostat can take out the guess work and help you save as much as 10% a year.
Remember to dress lightly and use fans. Like a nice breeze, fans create a wind chill effect on your skin to make you feel about 4 degrees cooler. They don’t actually cool the air, so turn them off when not in use.
Bonus tip: The Department of Energy says ENERGY STAR rated ceiling fans are approximately 40% more efficient than other types.
Find more ways to stay comfortable and save money with our summer energy-saving tips.
April tip of the month: Upgrade to energy-saving showerheads
Switch to efficient showerheads and watch the savings pour in.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says showers account for about 17% of residential water use, almost 40 gallons per day for an average family. Nationally per year, we collectively shower away about 1.2 trillion gallons of precious fresh water. There’s also the energy we use to heat all that water.
Of course, there’s nothing like a nice hot shower. The good news is you can have the showers you love without sacrificing pressure – and still save water, energy and money.
Install a WaterSense-certified showerhead
The EPA certifies showerheads that use 2 gallons or fewer per minute, half a gallon less than the standard set by the Energy Policy Act of 1992. That may sound like a drop in the bucket, but it adds up to an ocean of savings.
Per year, the EPA estimates the average family can save up to 2,700 gallons of water and $75 in energy and water costs.
WaterSense-certified showerheads are easy to install and comparable in price to other showerheads.
Plus, today’s energy-efficient showerheads are designed with performance in mind. WaterSense-certified models are independently tested on factors like spray force, coverage and pressure compensation, meaning they perform just as well as other showerheads over a range of different home shower types and water pressures.
For many who install an energy-efficient showerhead, the only differences they notice are on their reduced water and energy bills.
Soak up even more savings
Add to your shower power with these water-saving tips for your home.
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