Maryland Sweater Day is a fun way to learn about the importance of saving energy and to inspire everyone to use less heat in the winter. Heating accounts for 42% of residential energy use in the United States. Heating your home in the winter can be expensive and also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. If homeowners lowered their thermostats by just 2 degrees this winter, they would see a 6% savings on their utility bill and a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The Maryland Energy Administration is challenging everyone to “turn down the heat and turn up your sweater”.  “We want to challenge Marylanders to think differently about how they use energy, where our energy comes from and how we can play an important role in reducing usage and enhancing air quality,” said Mary Beth Tung, Maryland Energy Administration Director.

Maryland Sweater Day asks residents to turn down their heat and turn up their sweaters in the name of energy conservation. Maryland Sweater Day is about valuing energy. It is a chance to think differently about how we use energy and where our energy comes from and how we can play an important role in fighting climate change by using energy wisely, not wastefully. It is designed to help raise awareness about renewable energy and changing behaviors around energy consumption.