Fall into energy savings with tips from the Maryland Energy Administration

October is Energy Awareness Month

Baltimore, MD (Oct. 4, 2016) –This October, as part of national Energy Awareness Month, the Maryland Energy Administration encourages its residents  to learn how they can reduce their energy use and, in turn, lower their monthly bills.

“We are an important resource to all Maryland citizens, providing valuable information, guidance and assistance to use our energy resources wisely and efficiently,” said Mary Beth Tung, Director of the Maryland Energy Administration.

Replace your HVAC filters. Dirty filters restrict airflow and can cause the system to run longer, using more electricity. Replace the filters once a month for maximum energy savings.

Adjust your thermostat. Running your heating system at 68 – 70 degrees and the air conditioning at 78 degrees can save a typical homeowner more than $300 a year in electric costs. Make sure your system receives professional maintenance each year and look for the ENERGY STAR® label when replacing your system.

Lower the water heater setting. Heating water can account for 14–25 percent of the energy consumed in your home, according to the Department of Energy. Move your electric hot water heater’s setting from 140 degrees to 120 degrees and you can save up to $85 per year.

Consider a clothesline or drying rack. Drying clothes outside on a line or inside on a drying rack saves about 40 cents per load. That savings can add up to $160 a year for an average household.

Think about clean energy. To encourage and help Maryland homeowners invest in clean energy, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) provides grants for solar photovoltaic systems, solar water heating, geothermal heating and cooling, and wind turbine systems. Grant applications must be submitted to the MEA within 12 months of installation as defined by the Terms and Conditions. For more information on this grant or to apply, click here.

Consider harnessing the wind. The Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) wind energy program focuses on three categories of deployments:  residential, community and commercial scale projects.   Through its various Windswept Grant Programs, educational outreach, and Anemometer Loan Program, MEA provides support to Maryland residents, businesses, government entities and non-profits wishing to install wind energy systems.  These programs will help satisfy Maryland’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, requiring 20 percent of Maryland’s electricity to be generated from renewable energy sources by 2022.  Click here for more information on our wind energy programs.

Maryland Energy Administration
The Maryland Energy Administration advises the Governor on directions, policies and changes in the various segments of the energy market. As demand/supply competition, technological innovations, and policy changes by the federal government cause major changes in market sensitive energy sectors (e.g., petroleum markets, gas deregulation, and emerging competition in the electric utilities sector), State government must be in position to respond to new opportunities, as well as adjust to any potential challenges. For more information about the Maryland Energy Administration, visit www.energy.maryland.gov .