Installing solar panels is a good first step toward reducing your energy bill, but your home’s energy habits matter, too. Improving efficiency and considering electric upgrades can help reduce energy use and increase long-term savings.

Store energy for later

A home battery energy storage system (BESS) can store extra solar energy produced during the day so it can be used at night or during cloudy weather. Battery storage can also provide backup power during some outages, depending on the system and how it is installed. Check with your utility about safety requirements and possible incentives.

Look for ENERGY STAR appliances

When upgrading appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR label. These products are designed to reduce energy use while still providing strong performance.

If your refrigerator, dishwasher, washer, dryer or other major appliance is more than 10 years old, compare its energy use with newer models before you replace it. Savings vary by product, but efficient appliances can help reduce household energy use, especially when paired with solar.

Consider how an EV fits your energy goals

Electric vehicles (EVs) can also be part of your home energy plan. Charging during off-peak hours or using stored solar energy may help make your commute more affordable.

Some newer EVs also support bidirectional charging, which means the vehicle can send electricity back to a home during an outage or emergency.
Improve heating and cooling efficiency

Heating and cooling are among the largest energy uses in most homes and comprise approximately half of the average household’s energy bill. A heat pump can provide both heating and cooling in one efficient system. Instead of creating heat, it moves heat from one place to another. In the winter, it brings heat into the home. In the summer, it works like an air conditioner by moving heat out.

Air-source heat pumps are the most common type and work in a variety of climates. An outdoor unit warms or cools the coils, then circulates warmed or cooled air through your home’s air ducts and into rooms. Air-source heat pumps are also available for homes without air ducts, in a ductless version called a mini-split heat pump. They deliver two to four times more heat energy than the electricity they use.

Geothermal, or ground source, heat pumps transfer heat to or from the ground (or nearby water source). They often cost more to install than other types, but can use less energy than standard systems and may be a good option for homeowners planning a long-term upgrade. These are well-suited for extreme climates.

Make solar work harder for you

Solar panels can help lower your energy bill, but the biggest savings can be realized by using less energy in the first place. By improving efficiency and exploring electric upgrades, you can reduce energy use and generate savings. Learn more about sustainable energy and energy efficiency at SafeElectricity.org.

Are battery-powered home energy systems the right choice for you?

With our growing reliance on electricity, even brief outages can be disruptive. As a result, more homeowners are exploring battery-powered backup systems to stay connected during power interruptions.

Benefits of energy storage include:

• Cost savings: They can provide stored energy during expensive peak hours and recharge when costs are lower.
• Demand management: They help balance energy demand by charging when demand is low and discharging when it’s high.
• Backup power: They provide backup energy during outages and blackouts. They can replace diesel powered generators, offering an environmentally friendly back up source.
• Grid Support: They ease grid pressure during high-demand situations including extreme weather events.

Your guide to battery energy storage systems: basics, benefits and safety

Battery energy storage systems (BESSs), devices that store energy for later use, are gaining popularity due to their ability to provide backup power, reduce energy costs and support the electricity demand.

And since BESSs can store excess energy, they can be paired with renewable energy sources to provide reliable energy, given that renewable energy sources like solar and wind depend on natural elements that don’t always match energy demand.

If you are considering adding a BESS system that ties into the power grid, contact your electric utility early in the process to coordinate safe and proper connection to the energy grid.

How does a battery energy storage system work?

Systems can be installed in residential, commercial and utility scale environments. Batteries can even be installed in remote and rural areas where the grid may be unstable or limited.

The base capacity for residential systems ranges from 10 to 13.5 kWh, which can power an average home. Your energy needs will vary depending on the appliances you have, how often they run and how much backup power you want. Appliances such as air conditioners and water heaters may drain the capacity quicker and you may want to disconnect them during an outage. Check with your utility about specific system requirements.

The core components of a residential BESS are:

Battery

The battery stores the energy generated from renewable sources and releases it when needed. There are two main types used in residential installations:

• Lead-acid is the oldest and cheapest storage technology and is used in small projects with a lifespan of three to seven years.
• Lithium-ion is the most common type for home systems, with a lifespan of five to 20 years. They have a higher energy density, faster charging capabilities and are lighter and more compact than lead-acid batteries.

Battery management system (BMS)

The system monitors battery performance to prevent damage from overcharging, over-discharging, overheating and short-circuiting. It also provides information on the battery’s charge level, health and temperature, helping to maintain its longevity and ensure safety.

Monitoring system

The monitoring system provides data about the performance of the BESS such as the energy consumption, charge and system efficiency. This system provides data and may provide alerts if issues are detected. It doesn’t directly manage or control battery operations like the BMS.

Inverter

This converts the direct current (DC) electricity from the battery into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is used by home appliances and the grid. Stand-alone inverters are used for off-grid setups or as backup power. Grid-tie inverters sync with the grid, allowing electricity to flow back when demand is low or during peak pricing.

Safe installation:

• Purchase from a reputable, certified manufacturer and hire a licensed electrician who follows the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Ensure compatibility among the battery, inverter, controller and solar system (if using one).
• Install in an attached or detached garage, utility closet or outdoors as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Use non-flammable materials like masonry or metal and follow the manufacturer’s clearance recommendation or maintain a 3-foot clearance around the BESS for cooling and fire safety.
• Consider environmental hazards like flooding, extreme temperatures, snow accumulation, falling objects or vehicle impact, and keep the system away from heating equipment.
• Ensure the area is well-ventilated and check if permits are needed.

Safety tips:

• Register your BESS with the manufacturer and connect to Wi-Fi for monitoring. Stay updated on firmware and safety recalls.
• Regularly test smoke detectors and maintain the manufacturer’s recommended clearance, removing any objects or debris and trimming vegetation as needed.
• Though you should keep a fire extinguisher nearby for non-battery-related fires, never use it on a BESS fire. If you notice smoke, gas or chemical odors, evacuate immediately and call 911.
• Keep inverters and all BESS equipment out of the reach of children and pets.

It’s natural to have questions about emerging technologies like BESSs. Always work with certified manufacturers and installers to ensure safety, and contact your utility early in the process to check for specific requirements for installation, the grid interconnection process and available incentives.

When installed properly, a BESS can save money, provide reliable power during emergencies, and reduce dependence on the grid. Learn more about sustainable energy and energy efficiency at SafeElectricity.org. 

Summarized from an article originally published as sponsored content in Utility Dive, June 2026. The full version, with charts and sources, is linked below.

A Level 2 home charger draws over six kilowatts, comparable to an entire household’s evening demand. It typically activates in the early evening, when the feeder is already working hardest.

However, vehicles sit parked most of the day. Unlike air conditioning or water heating, EV charging load can be shifted without affecting customer experience. Time-of-use (TOU) rates typically shift 60 to 70 percent of EV charging off-peak, while managed charging shifts over 90 percent.

So why isn't anyone capturing it?

Because very little flexible load is currently managed. A 2026 National Bureau of Economic Research study conducted a managed charging experiment at a Bay Area utility with high EV adoption. Even with a $40 monthly incentive, fewer than five percent of households enrolled. According to the Smart Electric Power Alliance, opt-in residential TOU rate adoption rarely exceeds 10 percent. As a result, most utilities manage only a small fraction of the EV load on their systems.

Voluntary sign-up is not a path to grid visibility.

Common alternatives are also insufficient. Vehicle registration data is aggregated by ZIP code or county and rarely matches specific service points, indicating only that a region has EVs, not which transformer serves them. Rebate and enrollment records are accurate only for participating customers. Unmanaged chargers that may overload shared transformers often belong to drivers who have not enrolled.

For public power utilities with limited staff and capital funded by local ratepayers, this is particularly frustrating because the answer is within reach. Every vehicle charges on the system leaves a unique signature in your AMI interval data, which has been recorded every 15 minutes for years.

The full article details the characteristics of this signature, the challenges of interpreting it at scale, and recent advancements that have addressed these issues.

Read it here: https://www.newgenstrategies.net/stories/ev-grid-visibility.html

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We're teaching in San Antonio. NewGen Partners Scott Burnham and Tony Georgis will present Ratemaking for Data Centers and Other Large Loads, a preconference seminar at APPA's Business & Financial Conference on Sunday, September 13, from 1:30 to 5:00 PM. While the scale differs from EV charging, the underlying issue remains: new load is arriving faster than existing frameworks can accommodate, and current customers bear the impact.

Original in Utility Dive: https://www.utilitydive.com/spons/evs-are-already-on-your-grid-visibility-is-the-missing-piece/822856/ 

GridLens™: https://www.newgenstrategies.net/gridlens.html 

NewGen Strategies and Solutions, LLC is a management and economic consulting firm serving electric, water, wastewater, and solid waste utilities nationwide. 

SmartDocs brings extensive experience in public power procurement and finance to the 2026 American Public Power Association (APPA) Business & Financial Conference, helping public power utilities modernize procurement and manage public spend with greater efficiency, visibility, and control.

Public power utilities require more than process automation. Utility organizations must manage complex regulations, competitive sourcing requirements, supplier participation, contracts, approvals, documentation, and accountability for public funds. SmartDocs is built around these requirements, with experience supporting public sector and utility organizations across critical procurement and financial processes.

At Booth #14, attendees can explore how SmartDocs combines GovTech, AI, and intelligent spend management across connected process pillars, including:

Solicitation Management – post, addend, and award competitively.
Procurement Management – streamline requisition to purchase order.
Supplier Management – register, qualify, and monitor vendors.
Contract Management – author, execute, and administer to closeout.
Invoice Management – receipt, match, and approve for payment.
Expense Management – reimburse staff under policy.

Together, these capabilities help public power procurement and finance teams connect processes across the source-to-pay lifecycle, reduce manual work, strengthen oversight, and gain greater visibility into organizational spend.

SmartDocs also brings AI directly into public power procurement and finance workflows. From AI-powered solicitation agents and document intelligence to intelligent automation and spend insights, SmartDocs helps utility teams make faster, more informed decisions while maintaining the transparency, controls, and accountability required in public power.

Visit SmartDocs at Booth #14 at the APPA Business & Financial Conference 2026 to see how AI-powered intelligent spend management can help your utility modernize procurement and make better use of public funds.

September 13–16, 2026 | San Antonio, TX | Booth #14