At Home

• If you own a Levitt home, it is not too energy efficient. Follow the 6 tips in the image to the right to save about $300/yr.

• Schedule a BGE Home Energy Check-up (more info below)

• Buy a programmable thermostat and use it to keep your home most comfortable during the hours you are at home and awake.

• Try setting the temperature at a few degrees higher (summer) or lower (winter) than you presently do. A change of one degree can mean a savings of up to 3%.

• Use compact fluorescent lightbulbs. Replacing your five most used bulbs with fluorescent bulbs can save about $60 a year.

• Keep appliances, furnaces and air conditioners in good repair. Change filters regularly. When buying new appliances, look for the “Energy Star” rating.

• Look for energy drains in your home. Insulate your attic and water heater, caulk drafty windows, and close off unused rooms.

• Appliances and computers draw power even when they are off but plugged in. Unplug the small kitchen appliances, laundry machines, the iron and computers when not in use.

• In summer, avoid activities that will generate heat during the hottest part of the day, such as running the dryer or using the oven.

• Explore BGE’s Time of Usage Rate Plan to determine if it would lower your bills

How much energy do your electric appliances (old refrigerators, freezers, etc.) use? How about other electronic devices like DVRs, space heaters, cell phone chargers, etc.? Do you have "energy vampires" or electronics that will continue to use energy even when turned off or in standby mode? 

Find out the answers to these questions by borrowing the City's energy use monitor. Contact Tiffany Wright at 301-809-3043 or twright@cityofbowie.org to reserve the monitor and schedule a pick-up time. It can be picked up and returned any time City Hall is open.  Once you find out about your energy use, you can take action. You may find that it is necessary to repair or replace old electric appliances or that you will save money by unplugging electronics when not in use.

Have An Energy Audit Done

What's an energy audit? A whole-house approach for identifying factors that can make a home more energy efficient, comfortable and safe An energy audit typically lasts about 3 hours and consists of a home inspection, a blower door test (see photo to right), a safety test for your water heater and heating equipment, and a detailed report that contains prioritized recommendations.

Through the BGE Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program, an individual energy audit is available to eligible BGE distribution customers that use a qualified BGE contractor for $400. BGE currently rebates $300 of the cost, and the BGE customer is responsible for paying the remaining $100. Additionally, after the audit, the BGE customer is eligible for over $3,150 in rebates to complete recommended improvements. For example, there is a 50% off up to $2000 air sealing and insulation rebate. Go to the BGE Smart Energy Savers for more information.

Also, if you live in the City of Bowie, the City will pay for cost for you to have an audit done. Learn more and sign up for Bowie's Energy Audit Program.