Always look for the ENERGY STAR® label when purchasing appliances. Track your carbon footprint at CO2gether.org

Energy audits
To identify more specific ways to control your energy use:

• Purchase a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® evaluation from a professional Home Performance contractor.
• Do your own energy audit using the Home Energy Saver.

Focus on Energy
MGE is a partner in Focus on Energy, a statewide initiative to save energy and the environment.

• Focus on Energy offers Cash-Back Rewards on various equipment purchases.
• Call Focus at 1-800-762-7077.
• For more information, call the MGE Home Energy Line at (608) 252-7117.

Ways to reduce heating costs

Furnace
The furnace or boiler is the largest energy user in most homes.

• If health permits, keep thermostat at 68°F or below.
• Lower thermostat at night and when you're gone (55°F lowest setting).
• Check the furnace filter once a month during the heating season. Change or clean when dirty.
• Have a professional tune-up of your heating system every other year.
• Replace your older, 60% efficient furnace with one of at least 90% efficiency.

For more information
Furnaces and Air Conditioners
Furnaces [PDF - 809 KB]
Focus on Energy (Cash-Back Rewards)

Where energy is lost from the house

Insulation and air sealing

• If your attic has less than 7 inches of insulation, consider adding more.
• If your walls have no insulation between the studs, insulating the cavities can make a big difference.

For more information
Visit Focus on Energy or call 1-800-762-7077
How to Insulate Your Attic [PDF - 726 KB]
Exterior Wall Insulation [PDF - 102 KB]
Finishing Basements [PDF - 135 KB]
Caulk and Weather Strip [PDF - 477 KB]
Ice Dams

Windows

• Despite claims of savings up to 45%, replacing all the windows in your home will rarely reduce your heating bills more than 10% to 15%.
• Because window replacement is expensive, the payback in energy savings may take 20 to 30 years or more.
• Replacing your windows will often make you feel more comfortable.

For more information
Windows [PDF - 1.1 MB]

Ways to control appliance use
MGE customers have more appliances and are using more electricity than just 10 years ago.

• Replace electric clothes dryers with gas.
• Refrigerators older than 1990 can use three times as much electricity as new ones.
• MGE has given portable energy meters to area libraries. Check one out to see how much electricity appliances use.
• Anything with a remote control, plug-in power supply or clock display uses electricity even when it is switched off.
• Always look for the ENERGY STAR label when purchasing new appliances.

For more information
Appliances and Equipment
Portable Energy Meters
Appliance Energy Costs [PDF - 551 KB]
Refrigerators [PDF - 217 KB]
Standby Power

Dehumidifier use can be expensive
While important to control high humidity in basements, dehumidifiers can cost as much as $50 per month to operate. Look for ways to control moisture and reduce dehumidifier run time.

• Vent clothes dryers to the outside.
• Check gutter and downspout drainage.
• Slope soil away from foundation.

Look for the ENERGY STAR label when purchasing a new dehumidifier.

For more information
Dehumidifiers and Humidifiers [PDF - 728 KB]

Lighting

• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents.
• Turn off lights when not in use.
• Maintain security outdoors and reduce energy use with motion sensor lighting.

For more information
Lighting
Lighting [PDF - 692 KB]

Water heating
Your water heater is the second largest single energy user in most homes.

• Replace electric water heaters with gas.
• Replace 1994 and older showerheads with low-flow showerheads.
• Set water heater temperature at 120°F.
• Insulate hot water pipes.
• When replacing your water heater, look for high-efficiency models.

For more information
Water Heaters
Water Heaters [PDF - 400 KB]

To save in summer, control your air-conditioning
Central and room air-conditioning can be your biggest electricity users in the summer.

• Set your thermostat at 78°F or higher.
• Turn off your air conditioner when no one is home.
• Close your drapes and shades to keep the sun out.

For more information
Furnaces and Air Conditioners
Air Conditioners [PDF - 633 KB]
Focus on Energy (Cash-Back Rewards)
Power Control