Blue Ridge Energy Blog

Imagine you’ve just brewed your morning coffee and hit the power button on the machine. The lights go off and it lookslike it’s done for the day. But inside, your machine is still awake and waiting for the next time you press “brew.” A commonly held belief is that turning appliances off stops them…

If a severe thunderstorm were to hit tomorrow, would you and your family be prepared? Preparedness is key to staying safe during any type of emergency – thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes alike. Ask yourself: is your home in a flood-prone area? Do you have a plan if your power goes out? Here…

You'd like to reduce energy costs, but where do you start? There are many options for improving your home's energy efficiency. Which one will have the biggest impact? Heating and cooling make up nearly half of household energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Air leaks account for…

Considering adding solar panels to your home or on your property? Solar energy is a great way to produce clean energy and lower your carbon footprint. However, it typically takes 10-12 years to recoup the cost of putting up your own solar system before you begin saving money. It’s important to keep…

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As 2025 kicks in to full gear, now is the perfect time to look around your home and find ways to improve energy efficiency, comfort and indoor air quality. With these simple projects, you can improve your indoor space and enjoy lower energy bills in the new year and beyond. Install low-flow…

Most newer models of manufactured or mobile homes are energy-efficient and of high quality; however, since they can be around for a long time, the quality of insulation and climate control can vary greatly. Because of this, a little extra work is required to completely winterize mobile homes.…

FEMA assistance is only available if insurance is not covering the loss. Here is how to get started: How do I apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance funds? You can apply in three ways: Call 1-800-621-3362 Apply online at disasterassistance.gov Visit a local Disaster Recovery Center, opened by FEMA to…

Transmission lines supply power to one or more transmission substations. These lines seldom fall, but they can be damaged by a hurricane, high winds, or flooding. Tens of thousands of people could be served by one high-voltage transmission line; so if there is damage here, it gets attention first.…

Smart technology comes with the promise of convenience, energy savings, ease of installation and more. And although it's true that certain smart home devices can help you cut unnecessary energy use, what about smart technology as a whole? Can you really save energy by adding more electronic devices…