October is National Energy Awareness Month – and a great time to make some simple changes to your space and energy use habits before winter temperatures set in. By taking just a few easy energy efficient steps, you can manage your energy bill and energy use all year long; and have a positive impact on the environment.

Start by understanding your energy use by signing up for MyAccount. This tool gives you the ability to review usage insights, sign up for alerts, see how much energy you saved compared to others, and receive tips on how to reduce your energy consumption.

In Delaware:

• Customers can participate in Energy Wise Rewards^®, which will automatically send a signal to a participant’s thermostat or outdoor switch to cycle air conditioners during a Peak Savings Day.
• Energize Delaware offers a one-stop resource to make your home or business more comfortable, energy efficient, and cost effective.

In Maryland:

• The Quick Home Energy Check-Up (QHEC) will assess how your home uses energy, and how to make easy changes that can save on both energy and money. At no cost to you, a certified Energy Analyst will evaluate your home’s heating and cooling systems, windows, and doors and teach you how your home uses energy and ways to save at no cost.

• Get money back while you take energy-saving steps with incentives to recycle an old appliance, discounts on energy efficiency products at our online Marketplace, and rebates on ENERGY STAR^® certified appliances through Empower Maryland.

In addition to energy saving programs, here are a few additional ways you can save:

• Unplug unused electrical devices when you leave a room to prevent unnecessary energy use.
• Weatherize your home with weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows.
• Maintain home heating and cooling equipment with periodic professional tune ups.
• Check your thermostat, using lower temperatures in the winter, if health permits.
• Check for air leaks on forced-air heating system ductwork about once a year.
• Dust or vacuum radiators so the flow of heat is not impeded.
• Adjust your blinds by raising them in the winter to let warm sunlight in.
• Install storm windows and open them up when heating or cooling equipment use is unnecessary.

To learn more about ways you can save energy and money, visit: delmarva.com/SaveEnergy.