Utah averages a 1.5% population growth annually, and 2024 projections say we will add over 500,000 residents over the next ten years. Air quality is already a longstanding issue, so more traffic and households will likely worsen conditions if energy and resource management don’t improve.

What can you do?

Heating & Cooling

Half of the household energy is used for heating and cooling. In the U.S., residential energy use accounts for roughly 20% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Knowing how to properly heat and cool your house efficiently is perhaps the most important step in reducing energy usage, which can save considerable money each month.

Key actions include:

• Perform a DIY home energy assessment.
• Upgrade HVAC equipment to Energy Star efficient models.
• Stay on top of HVAC maintenance; this is vital to ensuring it is operating efficiently. The number one thing you can do is to change your air filters regularly.
• Seal and maintain air ducts.
• Install a smart thermostat.
• Ensure home insulation is adequate. Weatherize doors and windows to prevent air leaks.
• Consider landscaping impacts: strategically placed shrubs and trees can have significant benefits on energy conservation. According to the U.S. Forestry Service, the average reduction in national residential energy use due to trees is 7.2%.

Available rebates

UCAIR (Utah Clean Air)

Through UCAIR’s Smart Thermostat Program, low- and moderate-income households can apply for an ecobee Smart Thermostat, with installation costs covered up to $99.

Enbridge

Thermwise Weatherization Rebates are available for:

• Window upgrades
• Wall, floor, attic, and pipe insulation
• Duct sealing and insulation
• Air sealing

Appliance rebates are offered for the installation of smart thermostats, efficient furnaces, and water heaters.

Rocky Mountain Power

Federal tax credits

The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit offers tax credits for the installation of energy-efficient skylights, insulation, doors and windows, electrical panel upgrades, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and biomass stoves and boilers.

Head over to Heating & Cooling Efficiently for more in-depth information on each of these heating & cooling tips.

LED lighting

If you haven’t already, switch all the light fixtures in your home to LED bulbs, the most environmentally-friendly light bulbs available. They use 75-90% less energy and last up to 25-30 times longer than incandescent lighting, and five times longer than CFL, and are free from hazardous chemicals.

Rebate

Rocky Mountain Power offers rebates for smart light switches, plugs, and lighting occupancy sensors.

Energy efficient appliances

The other half of household energy use is consumed by applicances, electronics, and lighting.

When shopping for new appliances, make sure they are Energy Star certified. Energy efficient appliance use can save a household around $450 in energy costs per year as well as saving significant emissions.

Check out the Energy-Efficient Appliances page to learn how to decrease energy use and waste on all types of appliances.

Appliance rebates

There are a variety of tax credits and rebates available for purchasing energy efficient appliances. Some are offered by the state government, and some are offered by utility companies. Use this Energy Star rebate finder to help you find programs applicable for you. There are also a couple federal home energy rebate programs coming in 2024, so stay tuned for those.

Rocky Mountain Power

Rocky Mountain Power appliance rebates are available for the purchase of the following Energy Star certified appliances:

• Refrigerator
• Freezer
• Dishwasher
• Clothes Washer
• Heat pump clothes dryer
• Heat pump water heater

Go solar

Utah Clean Energy is a fantastic resource to learn all about solar energy and available rebates.

How SLC residents can get involved

Get a home energy audit

A home energy audit is a great place to identify opportunities for more efficient energy usage in your home.

The Enbridge ThermWise Home Energy Plan lists two options for home energy audits: For $25, an energy expert will conduct an in-home energy efficiency analysis, followed by a personalized plan to decrease your energy use. If you follow up on any of the rebate-qualified recommendations, you’ll be credited the $25 fee back on your gas bill. I had this done when the company was Dominion Energy and found it very helpful.

The second option is a no-cost, DIY audit. Using Enbridge’s form, fill out your answers and submit them via email or snail mail to receive your plan.

Rocky Mountain Power also offers a simple self-guided energy audit, which can be completed in 5-10 minutes on your phone. If you prefer, you can schedule an in-home or phone call audit, or use a third-party contractor.

Support clean energy

Support companies and organizations that work towards clean energy and better air quality.

• Utah Clean Energy is a non-profit whose mission is to prevent energy waste and create clean energy solutions. They are the best all-around resource for learning how to conserve energy in your home and transportation methods, as well as available rebates.

• Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) Salt Lake Chapter – Nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on governmental policies to address the climate crisis.

• Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment – You don’t necessarily need to be a part of the medical community to join and volunteer for this non-profit organization, which addresses all kinds of environmental issues, especially air pollution.

Find additional worthwhile local organizations to support through donations or volunteering your time here.

Take your energy savings even further—discover energy-smart transportation options in SLC.