Tennessee Valley Authority recommends energy efficiency tips to combat warmer weather
Franklin County, News, Z - News Main, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Alison James Published 
8:35 am Thursday, April 11, 2019

Tennessee Valley Authority recommends energy efficiency tips to combat warmer weather

Among home projects this spring, some homeowners might be wondering how they can increase energy efficiency, putting an end to higher electricity bills. The Tennessee Valley Authority has a few tips and tricks people can use.

Scott Harrell, program manager for TVA’s EnergyRight Solutions organization, works in the residential sector to help people with making their homes more energy efficient. He said oftentimes people don’t even realize the habits that could be costing them big bucks.

“That DVD player or any particular device you might have that’s plugged into the wall is constantly drawing a load. Now it’s small, but if you look around the house, and you have a clock on your coffeepot, your DVD player … All those little things add up,” Harrell said. “You can save some money by unplugging those unneeded loads.”

Turning off the lights when leaving a room is a timeless tip.

“I’ve got kid, so they just love to leave all the lights on,” Harrell said. In addition to turning lights off, “if you have the old incandescent lights, and they burn out, replace them with LEDs. They last longer and consume considerably less electricity.”

Harrell also offers the following tips:

  • Turn the thermostat up to 72-73 degrees
  • Wait to run the dishwasher until it has a full load
  • Wash clothes in cool water instead of hot
  • On the stovetop, match pots and pans to the size of the burner
  • Change the air filter once a month

A popular no-cost tip is, in the springtime, to run ceiling fans instead of turning on the air conditioner. “It doesn’t lower the temperature, but moving air feels cooler to our skin,” Harrell explained.

Harrell also recommends people consider adding or improving their attic insulation, although that household chore does come with an expensive. “It’s usually not something many people think about because you don’t see your attic all that often,” Harrell pointed out. “Check the level of insulation in your attic, and if it’s low or non-existent, adding attic insulation would be a great thing to do now before it gets warm.”

Outdoor cooking can be another way to keep the house cool.

Harrell said for the most part, he thinks people are not aware of the many steps they can take toward greater energy efficiency.

“I think continuing education on everything from the simplest of things – turning the lights and running the ceiling fans – needs to be communicated,” he said. “We have first-time home buyers who have never owned a home before and never thought about these things, and people who have just done what their parents and grandparents have done, and never thought, ‘This could actually save me some money.’”

People can view more tips by visiting www.tva.com/Energy/EnergyRightSolutions.

“If you’re a homeowner, this is an easy way to save money for summer. Don’t be afraid to go out and try a few of these,” added TVA public relations representative Scott Fiedler. “Every dollar counts.”

Harrell said homeowners who do not feel comfortable doing things themselves can use EnergyRight’s eScore program. Specially trained, approved contractors can perform upgrades the right way. To get a home’s eScore go to www.2escore.com/.


More cost-saving tips to improve energy efficiency

  • Take shorter, cooler showers to reduce hot water use
  • Air-dry dishes instead of using the dishwasher’s heated drying option
  • Set the refrigerator temperature between 35-39 degrees and the freezer between 0-5 degrees
  • Drain a gallon of water from water heater once a year to remove sediment and improve performance
  • Insulate heating and cooling ducts
  • Caulk and weather-strip around windows and doors
  • Use power strips for electronics and small appliances
  • Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads
  • Keep curtains closed during the day on the south, west and east sides of the house to block sunlight and keep cool
  • Plant a tree. Shade trees on the south or southwest side of your home will keep it cooler
Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025