The Houghton Energy Efficiency Team produced these Energy Saving Tips for a charity ball hosted by the Roteract Club of Houghton. April 2015.

1. Easy Energy Saving Tips
brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team
www.energizehoughton.org
Energy Saving Tip #1
Switch to LED light bulbs
Widespread use of LED lighting has the greatest
potential impact on energy savings in the United
States.
—US EPA
“ ”
LED bulbs use less than 1/4th
the electricity of traditional incandescent bulbs
and last 25 times longer—over 20 years.
In Houghton County, LED bulbs can pay for themselves
in lower electric bills in ONE YEAR.
Houghton Rotary
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2. Easy Energy Saving Tips
brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team
www.energizehoughton.org
Energy Saving Tip #2
Weatherize
SLS Events
These simple steps to plug leaks and insulate can
save on your heating bill:$$$
Caulk wire inlets and around the trim of your
doors and windows.
Insulate your rim joists—the space between
your basement ceiling and the foundation.
Install door sweeps.
Insulate your attic. Blown-in insulation costs
about $200 and can pay for itself in ONE YEAR.
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3. Easy Energy Saving Tips
brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team
www.energizehoughton.org
Energy Saving Tip #3
Save on hot water
The Back Room Boys
Insulate hot water pipes.
Foam sleeves are available at hardware stores.
Is your water heater warm to the touch?
Insulate it with a water heater blanket.
Set your water heater to 120 degrees.
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4. Easy Energy Saving Tips
brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team
www.energizehoughton.org
Energy Saving Tip #4
Upgrade your appliances
Wells Fargo
Refrigerators: New ones are up to 75% more efficient
than those made 25 years ago.
Save hundreds of dollars a year on a new model, but
ditch the ice maker; it’s an energy hog.
Dishwashers: New ones use less than 1/2 the
water and electricity of pre-1994 models and save
big over the cost of washing dishes by hand.
Efficiency United offers rebates and will even
pay you and haul away your old appliance.
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5. Easy Energy Saving Tips
brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team
www.energizehoughton.org
Energy Saving Tip #5
Memorial Union Board
2,900 gallons of water for a typical family
370 kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to
power a house for 13 days
Savings every year:
Install a low-flow shower head
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6. Easy Energy Saving Tips
brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team
www.energizehoughton.org
Energy Saving Tip #6
Get a new, efficient furnace or boiler
Psychology Associates
See a 25% or greater drop in your energy use.
Lower your heating bills.
HINT: Boost those savings by
changing the furnace filter
regularly!
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7. Easy Energy Saving Tips
brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team
www.energizehoughton.org
Energy Saving Tip #7
Clean that dryer vent
Inter-Residence Hall Council
From the outside of your house, remove the cover of
the dryer vent. Clean the ductwork with a shop vacuum
and save up to $288 a year on your energy bill.
BONUS: Safety. Lint-clogged vents cause over
15,000 house fires every year in the US.
DOUBLE BONUS: Get rebates on a new dryer
with a moisture sensor through Efficiency United.
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8. Easy Energy Saving Tips
brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team
www.energizehoughton.org
Energy Saving Tip #8
More resources
Michigan Tech Office of the President
Efficiency United: Appliance recycling, rebates, online
energy audits for SEMCO and UPPCO customers
Michigan Saves: Low-interest loans (for moderate
incomes) up to $30,000 for energy improvements
New Power Tour: Free and low-cost weatherization,
LED bulbs, and refrigerator replacements
Sponsored by

9. Easy Energy Saving Tips
brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team
www.energizehoughton.org
Energy Saving Tip #9
Go solar
Michigan Tech Student Affairs & Advancement
Renewable energy like solar can slash electric
bills to near zero in the energy-efficient home.
Cost: About $13,000-$21,000 for the typical area
home attached to the grid.
Solar panels pay for themselves in about 8-12 years.
Other renewables: Biomass and wind generation
can be sensible solutions too, especially for
communities and industrial sites.
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10. Easy Energy Saving Tips
brought to you by the Houghton Energy Efficiency Team
www.energizehoughton.org
Energy Saving Tip #10
Help us win $5,000,000!
W. K. Kellogg Foundation
The Georgetown University Energy Prize
The Prize challenges 50 semifinalists nationwide
—including Houghton County—
to rethink energy use and find creative ways to
increase energy efficiency.
The winner will be selected in 2017.
Organizers: Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET)
New Power Tour
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