Ways to save money at home

If the overbearing heat and humidity have you dreading your next utility bill, chances are pretty high you've got company.

Consumers around the Lowcountry are taking steps to beat the stifling heat of the past several weeks while facing increased costs starting this month.

Heating and cooling account for almost half of a household's annual energy costs. And experts say that while some people are using less energy because they want to live a greener existence, usually it is cost that is really driving the desire to conserve.

"The main motivation for consumers to curb energy use is that electricity costs are becoming a burden on many," says Hamilton Davis, energy and climate director for the S.C. Coastal Conservation League, a nonprofit working on energy and environmental issues.

"There is a certain part of the population that wants to have a smaller carbon footprint and wants to live more green. But certainly the financial motive is a key driver."

Locally, energy costs will rise 2.5 percent this month, 1.2 percent in a year and 1.18 percent in two years under a 4.88 percent rate hike approved by S.C. Public Service Commission this past week for SCE&G. Meanwhile, the utility company is among those offering tips to help consumers reduce energy costs.

Those who raise their thermostats this summer can see the biggest energy savings, says Scott Grigg, SCE&G's public affairs supervisor.

"People do not realize the difference that two or three or four degrees can make in your bill," says Grigg.

The utility company advises setting thermostats at 78 degrees or higher when at home during summer. Homeowners who set the thermostat at 75 degrees add about 16 percent to the cost of their bills.

In addition, when a house will be unoccupied for the better part of a day, it's best to set the thermostat at 81 to 83 degrees until the residence will be occupied again, SCE&G says.

With today's higher efficiency units, it takes less energy to get a house cooled back down to 78, than it does to keep it at that temperature all day, Grigg says. When going on vacation, set the thermostat at 83 to 87 degrees, but don't turn the unit off. Air conditioners help to reduce humidity and that helps to prevent mold from accumulating during humid Lowcountry summers.

Customers concerned about higher utility bills should call SCE&G for a Home Energy Consultation, says Ginger Greenway, manager of the company's energy information services. The consultation is mainly a visual inspection that takes about 90 minutes, she says. After the consultation, the energy company will recommend steps that are low-cost or no-cost.

The top problems discovered during the consultations are inadequate insulation, poor caulking around windows and weather stripping around exterior doors, units that are older and less efficient, thermostats that are set too high or low, and hot water heaters that are set higher than 120 degrees.

Energy expenditures for purposes other than heating and cooling include about 14 percent for water heating, 13 percent for appliances, 12 percent for lighting, 4 percent for electronics and 11 percent for remaining uses, according to national figures provided by Energy Star, a government-backed program helping consumers who want to be more energy efficient.

The Sustainability Institute, a nonprofit that helps South Carolinians conserve energy, has two programs to assist residents in reducing the amount of energy they consume, says Bryan Cordell, executive director.

One of them is the Energy Conservation Corps, a green jobs-training program. The program will weatherize homes at no cost for those whose income falls below a certain level. The institute has funds to weatherize 50 homes this year and is still accepting applications.

Those whose income exceeds the limit can pay to have their home weatherized. The institute can probably quote a price for weatherization without seeing the residence, Cordell says. However, they would want to see the condition of the house before planning the work to ensure there are no mold issues or other concerns.

It also can refer consumers to its partnerships firms for home energy audits.

The organization's second program involves training homeowners at hourlong energy conservation workshops held each month. The workshops, which are free to the public, are planned for their facilities downtown and in North Charleston. In addition, they are available to speak to neighborhood associations and at community centers.

Those who attend a workshop can learn simple low-cost and no-cost methods to reduce energy costs, Cordell says. The institute collects and compares before and after utility bills and has found that most consumers reduce the cost of their energy by at least 10 percent to 20 percent.

Attendees who meet the income restrictions get a free energy conservation kit that includes caulk, weather stripping, energy-efficient light bulbs and water-saving devices. Attendees whose income exceed restricted levels can purchase a kit for $45.

Beat the heat

These energy-saving tips are offered by SCE&G:

Interior doors: Leave interior doors open for proper air flow and to help HVAC units run more efficiently and the house to be more comfortable.

Ceiling fans: Use ceiling fans in occupied rooms and set the thermostat a few degrees higher than 78 because fans circulate air that makes you feel cooler.

Systems, vents, filters: Have cooling systems professionally inspected; move furniture rugs and other items away from vents; and check air filters monthly and change them as necessary.

Duct work, windows and doors, and insulation: Visually inspect duct work and repair any leaks with Mastic; update caulking on windows and weather stripping; and insulate attics R-38 or higher (12-14 inches) to keep cool conditioned air inside. Close blinds and drapes on warm days.

Water heaters: Set water heaters to 120 degrees (if your dishwasher allows) and inspect them for leaks or rust, and when going away, set electric water heaters at their lowest setting and use the "vacation" mode on natural gas water heaters.

Outdoor grilling, microwave cooking and small appliances: Grill outdoors or microwave to control unwanted household heat. Unplug small appliances that don't consume a lot of energy because small savings add up.

Light bulbs: Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, which use up to 75 percent less energy, last up to 10 times longer and produce less heat than standard incandescent bulbs. And turn off lights not in use to keep additional unwanted heat out of your home.

To request a free Home Energy Consultation or more information from SCE&G call 800-251-7234. For more energy-saving tips, visit www.sceg.com/blog.

For a free home energy audit or information from the Sustainability Institute, call 529-3421 or 529-3416. To attend a conservation workshop, visit www.sustainabilityinstitutesc.org and check calendar listings.

The U.S. Department of Energy has information at www.energysavers.gov/.

Reach Wevonneda Minis at 937-5705 or wminis@postandcourier.com.