Here are some tips to save money on your electricity bill as winter settles in – Signal Akron

Report on Residential Energy Efficiency Strategies and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

This report outlines strategies for enhancing residential energy efficiency, thereby reducing consumer costs and contributing to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The recommendations, compiled from guidance by the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel and FirstEnergy, focus on practical measures that support SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Key Areas for Energy Consumption Reduction

Analysis indicates four primary areas for significant energy savings in residential settings:

1. Elimination of standby power consumption.
2. Optimization of home lighting, heating, and cooling systems.
3. Enhancement of major appliance energy efficiency.
4. Management of seasonal energy consumption spikes.

Strategies for Mitigating Standby Power (Phantom Load)

Reducing standby power, or “vampire power,” directly addresses SDG 12 by minimizing wasteful consumption. The average U.S. household can save approximately $100 annually by managing the 20 to 40 devices that draw power while inactive, accounting for up to 20% of monthly energy costs. This practice also supports SDG 7 by making energy more affordable.

Recommended Actions:

• Unplug devices such as coffee makers, televisions, computers, and chargers when not in use, particularly before leaving the home for extended periods.
• Utilize power strips with on-off switches to de-energize multiple devices simultaneously.
• Employ timers to automate the disconnection of electronics from the power supply.
• Activate energy-saving or sleep modes on compatible electronics, such as laptops.

Improving Home Climate and Lighting Efficiency

Efficiently managing lighting, heating, and cooling is critical for advancing SDG 7 and SDG 13. These systems represent a substantial portion of household energy use, and optimizing them reduces both financial strain and carbon footprints.

Lighting Cost Reduction Strategies:

• Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Use smart plugs or timers to automate lighting schedules.
• Replace incandescent and fluorescent bulbs with Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology. LEDs consume approximately 85% less energy and last significantly longer, reducing long-term costs and waste in line with SDG 12.

Heating Cost Reduction Strategies:

• Seal air leaks around windows and doors and ensure adequate home insulation to prevent heat loss.
• Minimize the use of kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans.
• Replace furnace air filters every one to three months and schedule annual HVAC maintenance to maintain operational efficiency.
• Set thermostats to 68°F during the day and lower at night. A programmable or smart thermostat can automate these adjustments, reducing energy use by 7-10% when the home is unoccupied.
• Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction at low speed to circulate warm air downwards.
• Close fireplace dampers when not in use to prevent cold air intrusion.
• Utilize drapes and blinds to insulate windows, opening them during the day to capture solar heat and closing them at night.
• Ensure heat registers and cold air returns are not obstructed by furniture or curtains.

Enhancing Major Appliance Efficiency

Improving the energy efficiency of major appliances is a key tenet of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Consumers can make impactful changes through both maintenance of existing appliances and informed purchasing of new ones.

Refrigerator Efficiency:

• Clean refrigerator coils every six months to reduce the compressor’s workload.
• Minimize the frequency and duration of door openings.
• Consolidate to a single refrigerator where possible, unplugging secondary units when not needed.
• When purchasing new appliances, select models with the ENERGY STAR label, which certifies superior energy performance.

Water Heater Efficiency:

• Set the water heater temperature to 120°F to balance energy savings with safety.
• Consider a tankless water heater for households with lower water consumption.
• Reduce hot water demand by repairing leaks, installing low-flow fixtures, and running dishwashers and washing machines only with full loads, preferably using cold or warm water cycles.

Efficient Cooking Practices:

• Bake multiple dishes simultaneously and avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily.
• Utilize smaller, more energy-efficient appliances like microwaves, slow cookers, air fryers, and toaster ovens as alternatives to a full-size oven.

Energy Assistance and Management Programs

Utility-provided programs are vital for ensuring access to affordable energy (SDG 7) and promoting sustainable communities (SDG 11), particularly for low-income households.

Available Support Programs:

• Community Connections Program: FirstEnergy offers in-home energy evaluations and free energy-saving improvements to homeowners and renters with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
• Smart Thermostat Program: Eligible FirstEnergy customers may receive a free smart thermostat to better manage heating and cooling consumption.
• Time-of-Day Option (TVR): Customers with smart meters can enroll in a time-varying rate program. This incentivizes shifting energy use to off-peak hours when electricity demand and costs are lower, contributing to grid stability and promoting responsible energy consumption patterns (SDG 12).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   The article is fundamentally about making energy more affordable and efficient for consumers. It provides numerous tips on how to lower electricity bills, directly addressing the “affordable” aspect of this goal. It also promotes energy efficiency, which is a key component of sustainable energy management.

2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   This goal is addressed through the article’s strong emphasis on encouraging consumers to reduce their energy consumption. By offering strategies to eliminate “vampire power,” use appliances more efficiently, and switch to energy-saving technologies like LED bulbs, the article promotes more sustainable consumption patterns for electricity.

3. SDG 1: No Poverty

   The article connects to this goal by highlighting programs aimed at low-income households. The mention of “FirstEnergy’s Community Connections program” for “homeowners and renters with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level” shows a direct effort to alleviate the financial burden of high energy costs on the poor and vulnerable, which is a key aspect of poverty reduction.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   Although not explicitly mentioned, reducing electricity consumption is a critical action for mitigating climate change. By promoting energy efficiency, the article implicitly supports the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with power generation, thus contributing to climate action.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.

  The article directly supports the “affordable” component of this target. It provides practical advice for households to lower their electricity bills and mentions specific programs like the “Time-of-Day Option” and “Community Connections” designed to make energy costs more manageable, particularly for low-income families.

• Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

  This is the most prominent target in the article. Nearly every piece of advice—from unplugging devices to eliminate “vampire power” to sealing air leaks, using LED bulbs, and choosing ENERGY STAR appliances—is a measure to improve energy efficiency at the household level.

• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

  Electricity is a resource generated from natural resources. The article’s focus on reducing electricity usage through behavioral changes (e.g., turning off lights, running full loads in dishwashers) and technological upgrades promotes the efficient use of these resources, aligning with this target.

• Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services…

  The article identifies a specific initiative, the “Community Connections program,” which provides “an in-home energy use evaluation and energy-saving home improvements” at no cost to households below a certain poverty threshold. This directly addresses the goal of ensuring the vulnerable have access to services that can improve their economic resilience by lowering utility costs.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Monetary Savings on Energy Bills

  The article explicitly states that eliminating “vampire power” can save “as much as $100 a year.” It also notes that a modern energy-efficient refrigerator can cost “$200 less per year for electricity.” These figures serve as direct indicators of progress towards energy affordability (Target 7.1).

• Percentage Reduction in Energy Use

  It is mentioned that vampire power can account for “10% to 20% of your monthly power bill” and that switching to LED lights “can reduce the cost to power those lights by more than 80%.” These percentages are clear indicators of improvements in energy efficiency (Target 7.3).

• Adoption of Energy-Efficient Technologies

  The article encourages consumers to “Switch to LED bulbs,” use “programmable or ‘smart thermostat[s],'” and look for the “ENERGY STAR logo when you’re shopping for any new appliances.” The rate of adoption of these technologies can be used as an indicator to measure progress in energy efficiency (Target 7.3) and responsible consumption (Target 12.2).

• Participation in Assistance Programs

  The article mentions eligibility for programs like “FirstEnergy’s Community Connections program” and the “free smart thermostat program.” The number of eligible households that enroll and receive benefits from these programs is a measurable indicator of providing access to basic services for the poor and vulnerable (Target 1.4).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: signalakron.org