'Set It and Forget It' to Save 

A woman adjusting a smart thermostat at her home.
Smart technologies and simple devices can help you save energy year-round. 

Busy households can take advantage of products designed to make saving energy easy and automatic. Here's a look at some simple improvements that you can make at home. 
 

Smart thermostats 

Heating and cooling are some of the biggest energy users in your home. When you install a smart thermostat, it can learn your household routine and use that information to control your home's temperature. They also can be controlled remotely with a smartphone app. Eligible MGE customers can take advantage of an instant incentive from Wisconsin's FOCUS ON ENERGY® program when purchasing a qualified smart thermostat.  
 

Humidity-sensing bath fan 

Excess humidity in bathrooms can lead to a number of problems, including peeling paint, door warping and even mold. Humidity-sensing fans work automatically to detect moisture and run for the optimal amount of time. This automated approach also ensures the fan isn't running longer than needed, which can help avoid the loss of heated or cooled air through your bath fan. 
 

Lighting 

Light bulbs have come a long way in recent years with affordable LEDs using less energy than incandescent bulbs. Also consider dusk-to-dawn bulbs outside of your home. They automatically turn on during times of low light and turn off during the day. 

If you often find light bulbs in the basement, garage or closet that have been unintentionally left on, consider adding motion-sensing LED bulbs. Built-in sensors detect motion and turn on when someone enters a room and then turn off automatically. This also provides a hands-free experience, so you can focus on carrying that laundry basket or bag of groceries without flipping a switch!  
 

Free advice from our Energy Experts 

Interested in more ways to save energy while keeping your household comfortable? MGE is available to provide tips and answer your questions about energy-saving technologies. Call the MGE Home Energy Line at (608) 252-7117 or send an email to AskExperts@mge.com.  

published: May-14-2024