Celebrate Earth Month by taking charge of your home's energy use!
Every April, we celebrate Earth Month, a dedicated time to raise awareness about environmental issues and take action to protect our planet. But our efforts need not be confined to just one month of the year; we can make impactful decisions year-round that truly make a difference.
Taking control of your home's energy use benefits both the planet and your wallet. Less energy consumed means less money out of your pocket.
As you can see in this graph from the Department of Energy, most of an average home's annual utility bill goes to space heating or water heating. As we like to say at EWEB, the greenest, cheapest electron is one you never use.
A few easy ways to limit your energy consumption include:
- Use less hot water; it takes a lot of energy to heat water. Limit shower times or use cold water whenever possible for household cleaning.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with LEDs, a more energy-efficient lighting option. Take it a step further and put your lights on a timer so you aren’t wasting energy to light a room when you aren’t at home.
- Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Each degree you decrease the thermostat can reduce heating costs by as much as 3%. A smart thermostat can help keep your home comfortable year-round and EWEB offers a FREE Google Nest Thermostat and additional models at highly discounted prices for qualifying customers!
Understanding how your household uses energy can help you make decisions and behavioral changes that may significantly impact your electric bill. Even something as simple as remembering to turn off your lights when you leave can make a big difference over time.
Want more energy efficiency tips? Check out eweb.org/energytips.
Sometimes, no matter how many low- and no-cost steps you take, the time comes to upgrade your appliances or home to newer technology. An essential way that we help customers save energy (and money) is through efficiency and conservation programs. For example, upgrading your electric water heater to a new super-efficient heat pump water heater could save up to 50% or more on your water heating bill over time, and EWEB's rebate of $800-$1700 can substantially offset the upfront cost.
Energy efficiency upgrades mean reduced carbon emissions. In 2023, EWEB helped customers save over 14,000 MWh of electricity, enough energy to power over 700 homes for a full year! Together we upgraded almost 1500 residential heating and cooling systems, water heaters, insulation, and other energy-saving updates.
EWEB offers cash rebates and zero-interest loans to assist customers wanting to upgrade their homes systems, which can create year-round bill savings.
For a limited time, EWEB customers looking to invest in energy efficiency upgrades may qualify for an additional rebate incentive on ductless heat pumps, ducted heat pumps, and insulation installations. The new incentive allows households with a combined gross annual income of 60%-120% of the Oregon Median Income to double the standard EWEB rebate amount for these select programs.
The new incentive is to assist our moderate-income electric customers who may be interested in energy efficiency upgrades but cannot move forward due to budget constraints. EWEB still offers enhanced rebate opportunities for limited-income customers below the 60% range. These programs often cover the full cost of upgrading.
This table shows the current efficiency assistance programs, including our new rebate incentive program.
| Product | Limited Income Rebate | Standard Rebate | Standard Rebate with Additional Incentive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ductless Heat Pump | Owner Occupied: $4,500 Rental:$1,000 |
$800 | $1,600 |
| Ducted Heat Pump | Owner Occupied: $6,000 Rental:$1,000 |
$1,000 | $2,000 |
| Insulation | 100% of eligible program costs | $1/sq ft of insulation | $2/sq ft of insulation |
| Windows | Owner Occupied: $20/sq ft of glass Rental: $10/sq ft of glass |
$4/sq ft of glass | N/A |
| Heat Pump Water Heater | Owner Occupied: $1,700 Rental: $1,000 |
$800 | N/A |
Reducing your energy use won't only have an impact on your bill but is also essential in the fight against climate change. Energy efficiency and electrification - replacing fossil fuel use (e.g., natural gas, heating, oil, gasoline) with low-carbon electricity - can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For customers who have already made improvements to their homes and are looking to further help us achieve a sustainable future, you can invest in EWEB's Lead Green programs to continue to support carbon-conscious programs and renewable energy sources.
EWEB is here to help you make smart choices and save money. If you want to talk to an energy expert about energy efficiency upgrades in your home, call us at 541-685-7088 or email us at ems.answers@eweb.org.
