Discover your home’s energy users and losers
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Heating & Cooling
In North Carolina, we experience the beauty of all four seasons. When it's hot or cold, your heating and cooling systems have to work harder to keep you comfortable. And since your HVAC* system is the biggest energy consumer in your house, the outside temperature can really affect your energy costs.
- Which Heat Pump Option is Right for My Home? - Carolina Country
- Upgrading Heat Pump Efficiency - Carolina Country
- Temperature Gap Video
Tax Credits & Rebates
These incentives can help you save big on upgrades and replacements around your home and can mean a lower power bill in the long run. Explore what incentives might be available to you, including for your HVAC, water heater, windows and more.
Walls, Windows & Doors
With HVAC being the biggest contributor to your bill, a drafty opening or a leaky door can mean money flying out the window! But remember that it can take a while for big investments with small results, like all-new windows, to pay off.
- Replacing Your Windows – Carolina Country
- Video: How to Weatherstrip Exterior Doors - Carolina Country
Laundry
North Carolina is known for unpredictable weather, but that doesn’t stop us from going outside! That can mean a lot of messy laundry – and a lot of hard work for your washer and dryer.
Smart Thermostats
Smart home devices, like thermostats, can optimize your home's energy use by automatically adjusting to match your family’s habits. This can reduce energy use and lower your power costs over time.
Lighting
Whether it’s a good book under a lamp or string lights on the patio with family, lighting uses electricity. But maybe not as much as you think – especially if you use efficient bulbs and fixtures!
- How to Upgrade Your Home’s Lighting - Carolina Country
- Lighting Choices to Save You Money - Department of Energy
Air Sealing & Insulation
Good insulation is like a warm blanket for your house, but if it's old or worn thin, you might be heating the great outdoors. The same goes for summertime – keeping the nicely conditioned air inside your home is always a great plan for savings.
Always-On Appliances
Whether it's a spinning ceiling fan in an empty room or a game console on standby, appliances can use electricity even when we aren’t using them. Turn off items you aren’t using and consider a smart power strip or a more efficient appliance to save without sacrifice.
Refrigeration
About 1 out of every $10 on your power bill goes toward keeping it cool in your fridge and freezer to preserve food freshness. Multiple refrigerators, large freezers and badly sealed doors can drive this cost up – as can older, inefficient appliances.
- Refrigerator Savings Tips - ENERGY STAR
- Refrigerator Freezer Use and Temperature Tips - Department of Energy
Cooking
The kitchen is the heart of the home. From ovens to stovetops, kitchen appliances consume energy regularly, especially during colder months when warm, hearty dishes are preferred.
- Kitchen Appliances - Department of Energy
- Finding Energy Efficiencies in the Kitchen – Carolina Country
Entertainment
Everybody loves family movie night! TVs, consoles, streaming devices, surround sound - all of these contribute to about 6% of your household energy use, but it sure beats the price of movie tickets and popcorn.
Energy Audits
Your Electric Cooperative
When it comes to finding savings, your local electric cooperative is here to help you! One of the benefits of being a member is access to friendly staff who live in your community. We are here to help you manage your home energy use and budget. Please reach out to us by phone or email to speak with a member of our team.
Water Heating
Your water heater works hard to provide hot water for showers and chores throughout the day. And that hot water takes a lot of energy – maybe more than you think! Conserving hot water with low flow shower heads and cold wash cycles can help.
- Know Your Water Heater Options - Carolina Country
- Water Heating Tips & Tricks - Department of Energy
- Reduce Hot Water Use for Energy Savings - Department of Energy
Home Solar
Whether you’re just getting started or have thoroughly researched solar energy, be sure to connect with your local co-op. Unfortunately, there is some misleading solar information available, but your co-op is here to support you in making a solar energy decision that is right for your home energy goals.
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
From a better driving experience to exciting technology and reduced emissions, electric vehicles are growing in popularity for good reason! EVs can also cost less to drive and maintain long-term than gas-powered vehicles.
Landscaping
Well-placed trees can provide shade in summer and block wind in winter, reducing the need to heat and cool your home. Just be careful not to plant near power lines!
Energy Users
What's using the most energy around your home? Explore the blue icons to find out!
Energy Losers
All homes have some energy waste. Use the red icons to uncover common areas of energy loss.
Energy Extras
Looking for more? The green icons can help you discover ways to optimize your home’s energy use and enjoy the best that electricity has to offer.
Your co-op is here to help
The biggest factor affecting your power bill is how much electricity you use. This changes with the weather, the devices you use, and how you use them. Understanding your home’s energy use can reveal ways to save.
Central Electric EMC knows every dollar counts. We’re here to help with advice and assistance on how to keep your bill low without compromising your family’s comfort.
Energy Users
In North Carolina, we experience the beauty of all four seasons. When it's hot or cold, your heating and cooling systems have to work harder to keep you comfortable. And since your HVAC* system is the biggest energy consumer in your house, the outside temperature can really affect your energy costs.Â
Your water heater works hard to provide hot water for showers and chores throughout the day. And that hot water takes a lot of energy – maybe more than you think! Conserving hot water with low flow shower heads and cold wash cycles can help.
ÂAbout 1 out of every $10 on your power bill goes toward keeping it cool in your fridge and freezer to preserve food freshness. Multiple refrigerators, large freezers and badly sealed doors can drive this cost up – as can older, inefficient appliances.Â
Whether it’s a good book under a lamp or string lights on the patio with family, lighting uses electricity. But maybe not as much as you think – especially if you use efficient bulbs and fixtures!
North Carolina is known for unpredictable weather, but that doesn’t stop us from going outside! That can mean a lot of messy laundry – and a lot of hard work for your washer and dryer.
ÂEverybody loves family movie night! TVs, consoles, streaming devices, surround sound - all of these contribute to about 6% of your household energy use, but it sure beats the price of movie tickets and popcorn.
ÂThe kitchen is the heart of the home. From ovens to stovetops, kitchen appliances consume energy regularly, especially during colder months when warm, hearty dishes are preferred.
Â
Energy Losers
With HVAC being the biggest contributor to your bill, a drafty opening or a leaky door can mean money flying out the window! But remember that it can take a while for big investments with small results, like all-new windows, to pay off.
Good insulation is like a warm blanket for your house, but if it's old or worn thin, you might be heating the great outdoors. The same goes for summertime – keeping the nicely conditioned air inside your home is always a great plan for savings.
Whether it's a spinning ceiling fan in an empty room or a game console on standby, appliances can use electricity even when we aren’t using them. Turn off items you aren’t using and consider a smart power strip or a more efficient appliance to save without sacrifice.
Energy Extras
Smart home devices, like thermostats, can optimize your home's energy use by automatically adjusting to match your family’s habits. This can reduce energy use and lower your power costs over time.
Whether you’re just getting started or have thoroughly researched solar energy, be sure to connect with your local co-op. Unfortunately, there is some misleading solar information available, but your co-op is here to support you in making a solar energy decision that is right for your home energy goals.
Ask your electric cooperative about how you can evaluate your home's energy usage and identify where improvements can be made. By finding inefficiencies like air leaks, outdated appliances or inadequate insulation, energy audits can lead to savings in the long run.
These incentives can help you save big on upgrades and replacements around your home and can mean a lower power bill in the long run. Explore what incentives might be available to you, including for your HVAC, water heater, windows and more.
ÂFrom a better driving experience to exciting technology and reduced emissions, electric vehicles are growing in popularity for good reason! EVs can also cost less to drive and maintain long-term than gas-powered vehicles.
Well-placed trees can provide shade in summer and block wind in winter, reducing the need to heat and cool your home. Just be careful not to plant near power lines!
When it comes to finding savings, your local electric cooperative is here to help you! One of the benefits of being a member is access to friendly staff who live in your community. We are here to help you manage your home energy use and budget. Please reach out to us by phone or email to speak with a member of our team.
It’s important to understand what kind of energy powers your home’s appliances. The tips and resources here are designed to help you save on energy costs regardless of fuel source, but if you use electricity to power these devices, changing your behaviors can result in a lower electricity bill.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)
* HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. This refers to the use of various technologies to control the temperature, humidity, and purity of the air in an enclosed space.
- Includes space heating, air conditioning, and evaporators for heating/cooling.
- Includes all refrigerators and separate freezers.
- Includes TVs and peripherals such as cable and satellite boxes, DVRs, Internet streaming devices, video game consoles, DVD or Blu-ray players, VCRs, and home theater or audio systems.
- Cooking includes ranges (units with both a cooktop and an oven), separate cooktops, and separate ovens. Microwaves, small kitchen appliances, and outdoor cooking are excluded.