Lorax is in on the secret. Valentine’s Day used to be all about romance, but we know the real meaning. Consider this: lights are dimmed, candles are lit, the fire is roaring, the thermostat is turned down so you and your loved one are cuddling under a blanket staring deep into each other’s eyes. If that doesn’t scream energy savings, we don’t know what does! Oh yeah, romance too…
Energy Efficiency is at the Heart of Valentine’s Day
Creating Mood Lighting
Dimming the lights and lighting candles can create the perfect Valentine’s Day atmosphere: 20% energy savings per year according to the Heschong Mahone Group. Love will be in your sweetheart’s eyes and dollar signs in yours. A dimmer on your light switch can help you achieve both your romantic and energy saving goals.
Snuggle Time
Turn up the heat, by turning down the heat. Lowering the thermostat just three degrees will save $30 per month, and it will surely draw your sweetie closer. According to the Department of Energy’s Energy Savers website, you can save as much as 1% on energy bills for each degree the thermostat is turned back. When your honey gets a chill, you will be ready and waiting with an extra blanket and body heat! Your beloved will never guess that the ploy that brought you closer will also save money and energy.
Start the Fire by Starting an Efficient Fire
By turning down the thermostat even farther to 50 or 55 degrees and creating a blaze in your EPA‐certified wood fireplace, there is more money to save and more romance to be had. Just remember to close your damper afterwards. If left open, the warm air can rush out of an open fireplace at a rate of 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour.
Keep the TV Off
Whisper that you don’t want technology to distract from your romantic evening, and your sweetheart will swoon! Unplugging devices that are phantom energy drains is a grander, more romantic gesture that saves even more money. While it is turned off, the DVR alone uses 35 watts during a daylong period. The television can consume 25 watts while off. Unplugging the electronics can save up to $50 for the year. That’s a dozen red roses!
A Dozen Roses: $65
Box of Chocolates: $40
The perfect energy efficient evening: Priceless
Energy Forecasts
With current energy forecasts, there’s no better time to start these romantic energy saving than Valentine’s Day. According to the Energy Information Administration, this winter (October 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016), average household expenditures for house hold heating can be pretty pricey. Homes heating primarily with natural gas will total $578 this winter. Homes primarily using propane are expected to spend $1,437 this winter. Homes heating primarily with heating oil are expected to spend $1,392. Homes heating primarily with electric heat are expected to spend $930.
Cupid’s Arrow
Who knew? There is more than meets the eye on Valentine’s Day! What most people think of as a day for romance has always been a day for energy savings. And when the big day is over, incorporating Lorax’s Valentine’s Day techniques into your everyday behavior is sure to bring you love and energy savings yearlong.