Saving energy outdoors

Planting shade trees is a great way to help your save money on your utility bills. In addition to helping your air conditioner run less and use less energy, trees improve the appearance of your home and pull carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the air, reducing greenhouse gases.

Outside lighting such as porch and patio lights are some of the most used lighting fixtures in a home. This makes them a great place to employ compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs which use far less energy than incandescents. While CFLs are not ideal for winter months because they dim in colder weather, you can still enjoy significant savings during the warmer months. And Texas has no shortage of warm months. Find out more about the benefits and limitations of CFL bulbs.

You can purchase a plug-in light sensor to turn safety or guard lights on when it gets dark and off again when it gets light to minimize usage. For further savings you can purchase motion sensors that turn the lights on only when they are needed.