The Starting Five Powerful, But Simple Steps to Efficiency 1.  Control your thermostat 2.  Switch to compact fluorescents 3.  Wash your laundry in cold water 4.  Turn off the juice when not in use 5.  Look for the ENERGY STAR® label The Power of Working Together If we all take these steps, we could save electricity and natural gas equivalent to the use of more than 20,000 homes.

Power Tomorrow calls us to take the next step toward a greater energy-efficiency commitment in our lives. Start by finding which part of your home or apartment uses the most energy. Then read on for many energy-saving ideas.

How to use a programmable thermostat
Thermostat video

Understand your energy use patterns
Compare your home heating rating to Madison-area homes of similar age. When you know what your use patterns are for natural gas and electricity, you can target ways to save.

How my energy use compares

Use a portable energy meter from your local library to measure how much electricity your plug-in appliances and equipment use.

Do the easy, low-cost measures first
Whether you own a home or rent, you can reduce your energy use by:

• Setting a warmer temperature or shutting off your air conditioner at night or when you are away in summer.
• Replacing your five most-used incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescents.
• Turning off the TV, lights and other equipment when no one needs them.

See more: Easy, low cost energy-saving tips

More ways to save energy
For homeowners
For renters

For more information
The Power of Working Together [PDF - 429 KB]
Power Tomorrow Booklet [PDF - 1.5 MB]
MGE Energywise Email Newsletter