With the new school year right around the corner, now is the perfect time for families to adopt simple energy‑ and water‑saving habits at home. By making a few small changes at the start of school, families can build lasting habits that can help lower monthly utility bills throughout the year.
Here are easy ways to get started:
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- Unplug unused devices. Disconnect any electronics and appliances that will not be used.
- Keep the fridge closed. When packing lunches or preparing breakfast, grab everything you need in one pass. Reducing time with the door open keeps cold air in — and energy costs down.
- Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher. Each degree below 78 can increase cooling costs by 6% to 8%. Raise the temperature even more when no one is home to save energy.
- Shorten shower time. Encourage kids to take quicker showers to save both water and energy.
- Run full loads. When doing laundry or washing dishes, wait until you have a full load to maximize efficiency.
- Wash clothes in cold water. Busy school schedules often mean more laundry. Washing full loads in cold water helps save energy without sacrificing cleanliness.
- Cover windows to block heat. Use blinds, heat-blocking window film or blackout curtains to repel sunlight and heat.
- Keep tabs on your energy and water use. All OUC customers can access their Usage Dashboard through their myOUC online account to monitor consumption and find ways to save on their utility bill.
If you’re looking for more ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency, check out OUC’s Efficiency Delivered program.
Here’s how it works: after an audit of your home’s energy and water use, an OUC conservation specialist will recommend improvements, such as adding ceiling insulation or an A/C tune-up, that will have the most impact on your utility bill. OUC will pay a portion of the costs for customers who qualify based on income. The program is available to homeowners and renters.
By building these simple habits now, families can ease into the school year feeling prepared, comfortable, and confident about keeping utility costs in check. A few small changes truly add up — and OUC is here to help every step of the way.