What’s Your Energy Efficiency IQ?

1. What typically uses the most energy in a household?

• Heating and cooling
• Refrigeration
• Lighting
• Electronics

Correct!Incorrect! Heating in the colder months and cooling in the warmer months are the most expensive energy users in a typical home, but you may notice a higher bill during the winter — in the U.S., heating can require up to four times as much energy as cooling.

2. What are “vampire energy” and “ghost energy” nicknames for?

• The energy that powers Halloween decorations.
• The energy that is drawn by devices that are plugged in but not turned on.
• Energy used after the sun goes down.
• The energy that a device uses between being unplugged and dying or needing to be plugged back in.

Correct!Incorrect! Also called “phantom load,” the energy used by devices that are plugged in but not in active use (think computers, TVs, cell phone chargers and some power strips, etc.) can add up a surprising amount.

3. How often should you change your HVAC’s air filter?

• Once a year
• Every month
• Trick question, you don’t need to change your filter
• At least 4 times a year

Correct!Incorrect! How often you need to change your air filter will depend on factors in your home — how much dust accumulates, how old your system is, whether you have pets and other variables. But typically, replacing your filter every few months will help the entire system run more efficiently.

4. Which of these habits will not improve your energy efficiency?

• Closing HVAC vents in empty rooms
• Washing laundry in cold water
• Caulking cracks
• Using a microwave rather than a traditional oven

Correct!Incorrect! Actually, closing HVAC vents can stress the system and make it work harder, driving up your costs.

5. What percentage of a typical energy bill comes from lighting?

• 25
• 4
• 30
• 12

Correct!Incorrect! Lights account for 12% of a typical bill. Be sure to replace bulbs with LEDs, turn off lights whenever you leave a room, and consider setting lights on a timer to lower that number.

6. According to Energy Star^®, what is the typical lifespan of an LED?

• 10 years
• 1 year
• 15-20 years
• 4-6 years

Correct!Incorrect! Several factors can impact the lifespan of an LED bulb, including how often it is used or if it is exposed to extreme heat. So, while it is possible for a LED to last for 10 years, the most common lifespan is 4 to 6 years.