Ways to reduce energy usage
Ways to reduce energy usage
Reducing energy usage doesn't have to be hard. Small changes in daily habits actually add up to significant reduction in your overall energy consumption.

Head over to our Express Energy Facebook page to post your favorite energy saving tip.

Use your Express Energy usage dashboard

If you and your family are spending more time at home, you can keep track of your electricity usage by logging in to your Express Energy account and visiting your helpful "Usage Dashboard".

Turn off lights when not in use

Turn off lights when they aren't being used. Yes, we sound like your grandpa... "What are you trying to do? Light the whole neighborhood?"... but it's easy to leave a room and forget to turn off all the lights.

Power Off and Unplug Unused Devices

When was the last time you used your VCR? Turn off and Unplug all your unused electronics like VCRs, radios, and yes, even that vintage jukebox sitting in your garage. You'll use less electricity and not even notice the difference.

Adjust Your Thermostat

WINTER: During cold blasts turn your thermostat down to 68 (F) degrees.
SUMMER: During hot Texas summers turn your thermostat up to 78 (F). Every degree of reduced heating or cooling will lower your energy usage.

Limit Use of Large Appliances

As much as possible, avoid using large appliances such as the oven, washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher. Reducing and avoiding use of these larger appliances will make your home quieter and your electricity usage much lower.

Adjust Shades and Blinds

WINTER: During cold temps open up your shades and blinds during the day to let the heat from the sun in. At night close your blinds and shades.
SUMMER: During hot temps close your shades and blinds to keep the heat out..

Take shorter showers and adjust hot water heater

Turn that 15 minute shower into a 5 minute quick rinse, and you'll still be squeaky clean (you can finish singing your Guns & Roses ballad while you dry off). Bonus Tip: You can also adjust your hot water heater to a lower setting to reduce usage even further.

Run full loads of laundry & dishes

When you simply must use the washing machine or dish washer, running only full loads of laundry and dishes will help to eliminate those smaller unnecessary loads, and also reduce usage of your hot water heater.

Grill out to chill out

In warm weather, grilling is not only fun and tasty; it's also a great way to save the energy that your oven or microwave would use. This is one tip that you and your taste buds are sure to appreciate.

Put down the controller

Video game consoles use more energy than you might think. Step outside and toss the pig skin around with your kids or set up the hockey goal that’s been stuck in the corner of your garage for the last 3 years. Your Fortnite high score will still be there tomorrow.

Wear clothes more than once between washes

Why not live a little? Wearing lightly worn clothes more than once can help reduce the number of laundry loads you have to do. You'll know it's time to do a load of laundry when you find a sticky-note stuck to your back labeled, "Captain Stinkopotamus".