GULFPORT, Miss. – As the holiday season continues, there is still time to save energy by taking some easy, cost effective steps in the home. Mississippi Power offers these eight helpful, creative ways to practice energy efficiency and get in the energy-saving spirit this holiday.
DECEMBER 17: PLUG INTO POWER SAVINGS
From holiday lights to listening to festive carols on repeat, the holidays can take a toll on a home’s energy consumption. Even when lights and electronics aren’t being used, they still draw small amounts of energy. Plug electronics into a power strip and turn it off with the push of a single button.
DECEMBER 18: LET THERE BE (TIMED) LIGHT
When decorating with holiday lights or for use with other daily lighting, use timer controls to lower energy consumption and save money. Timer controls turn lights on and off at specific times, while staying in the saving spirit all year.
DECEMBER 19: LET LEDs LIGHT THE WAY
This holiday, light up the home with light-emitting diode (LED) lights. In addition to being sturdier and more resistant to breakage, LED holiday lights also last longer and consume 70 percent less energy than conventional incandescent light strands. It only costs approximately 27 cents to light a 6-foot tree for 12 hours a day for 40 days with LEDs compared to $10 for incandescent lights.
DECEMBER 20: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SUNLIGHT
This winter, open curtains during the day to allow sunlight to naturally warm the home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
DECEMBER 21: MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN ENERGY CHECKUP
It only takes about 10 minutes to take a home energy “checkup.” Using Mississippi Power’s online energy checkup customers can get a customized report based on their family’s home energy usage. Don’t have 10 minutes? Mississippi Power also offers an estimated energy checkup which provides great info based on average homes.
DECEMBER 22: MAINTAIN THE FIREPLACE
The cool, winter months would not be the same without a crackling fire, but don’t let energy bills go up in smoke. Proper chimney maintenance -- like sealing the flue damper, caulking around the hearth, and installing tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system to blow warmed air back into the room -- will help keep warm air in and cold air out.
DECEMBER 23: SET IT AND SAVE
Don’t pay for warm air that isn’t being used. Installing and setting a programmable thermostat can save energy -- lowering the thermostat 10-15 degrees for 8 hours can save 5-15 percent a year on heating bills. Especially when traveling, be sure to program the thermostat for energy savings.
DECEMBER 24: DRIVE THIS WAY TO FUEL SAVINGS
Whether driving across town to do errands or across the country to visit family, fuel costs can add up over the holidays. One way to reduce fuel consumption is to empty cars after all driving trips -- an extra 100 pounds (of presents!) in a car could increase gas costs by up to 8 cents per gallon.
For even more energy efficiency tips, visit www.mississippipower.com, follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook.
Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for more than 186,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Recognized throughout the utility industry for excellence in storm restoration and recovery efforts, Mississippi Power is the 2013 winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Assistance Award.
For further media information: Contact Keith Guillott - 228.865.5543 or 228.861.5543 (24/7 media line) or kguillot@southernco.com