The Current: My Home Edition

We’ve already done a little digging into geothermal heat pumps — so, in this article, we’re shedding some light on the region’s most popular heating and cooling system: the heat pump. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient way to heat and cool your home, you may have come across the term “heat pump.” But what […]

Big changes are coming to the air conditioning world in 2025, and we’re here to help you make sense of them!  In broad strokes, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a mandate to “phasedown” hydrofluorocarbons, and it goes into effect on January 1, 2025. In this post, we’ll dive into the reasons behind the […]

To help you see the savings light, we covered the SEER2 basics in “What’s a SEER2 rating?” Read on for a deeper dive into some frequently asked questions about SEER2. What is SEER? SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It measures how efficiently an air conditioner or heat pump cools your home. The higher […]

Sorry to spoil your fun: Your HVAC contractors aren’t all-seeing masterminds, peering into your energy-savings past, present and future. SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. When it comes to your heat pump, mini split or air conditioner, it indicates the unit’s maximum energy efficiency. Fun Fact: Since the SEER system started in 1992, there […]

The home energy rebates that you know and love from TVA EnergyRight® and your local power company just keep getting better.   Geothermal heat pump rebate doubles to $3,000! Replace your existing primary electric heat source with a geothermal heat pump and your TVA-vetted contractor will submit your $3,000 rebate claim to us for processing. You […]

Everybody’s talking about them — especially now that we’re offering a $3,000 rebate on them — but what are geothermal heat pumps and how do they work? Let’s dig in! (Get it? No? Read on and you will, we promise!) What’s a geothermal heat pump? Even with seasonal temperature extremes — from summer scorchers to […]

If the weather outside is feeling frightful, it’s time to cook up something delightful! Here are three warming soups to keep your kitchen cozy and your belly warm. Kentucky Burgoo This hearty, favor-packed stew will get the engines running! This rich, slow-cooked stew has earned a spot in many hearts and kitchens. Known for its […]

It seems like only yesterday we were sharing tips and suggestions for preventing an AC emergency. (Spoiler alert: spring AC tune-ups are also a great way to keep your system in peak cooling form). We know you’re enjoying a break from the heat but before you know it, it’s going to be time to break […]

Schedule some TLC for your heat pump today Preventive HVAC maintenance isn’t the most glamorous of tasks. We get it. And we know that looking up a trusted contractor from the Quality Contractor Network won’t set your pulse a-thumping like booking a rental on the beach, finding the perfect thrift-store treasure or nabbing tix to […]

Summer is flying by! If you have kids headed back to school soon and are looking for a simple and affordable gift for their teacher, we’ve got you covered. Useful and reusable, these gift ideas make it easier for teachers to spend less, save energy or make their classroom experience a little more comfortable. Save […]

The Quality Contractor Network (QCN) is TVA EnergyRight’s free resource for customers to find and connect with trusted contractors, like HVAC/heating and cooling service providers, window installers, energy efficiency pros and more. All members of the Quality Contractor Network are licensed, insured and trained to meet TVA’s project quality standards. Finding a contractor you can […]

For most things, the better you take care of it, the longer it will last. Cars need their oil changed, your favorite sweater needs mending, and homes need to be weatherized and duct systems maintained. That’s not only because air sealing and duct system maintenance help maintain good indoor air quality and a comfortable home, […]

A broken air conditioner (AC) during the summer isn’t just annoying — it can be life-threatening. If your air conditioner, whether that’s a central air conditioner, heat pump, mini-split or any element of your cooling system, breaks, TVA EnergyRight is here to help you know what to do next. Plus, we’ll give you some simple […]

A too-hot home can make for a very long summer. But cooling down your home isn’t always as simple as turning down the thermostat. A lot of factors contribute to how efficiently — or inefficiently — your home maintains your preferred temperature. Insulation, ductwork and air sealing can make or break your home’s energy efficiency, […]

Your attic insulation plays a huge role in the overall comfortability of your home. Too hot in the summer? Too cold in the winter? The culprit could be right above your head. Not only does your attic insulation affect your comfort, but it also affects your energy bill. Poorly performing attic insulation impacts the heat […]

Did you know that, on average, Americans spend a whopping 90% of their time indoors, and that the concentrations of some pollutants may be up to five times higher indoors than outdoors?¹ Both short- and long-term exposure to indoor air pollution can lead to health issues like headaches, fatigue, respiratory diseases, heart disease, cognitive deficits […]

If the spring season gets you excited to spruce up your home, then it’s the perfect time of year to consider window replacement. Not only can new windows give the exterior of your home a boost in curb appeal, but they can also improve your home’s energy efficiency. The more energy efficient your home is, […]

Temperatures may be rising, but that doesn’t mean your energy bill has to go up too. There are lots of great ways to create a more energy efficient environment inside and outside your home. Keep these tips in mind for a healthier lawn, a happier garden and a cooler home.   It’s raining energy savings: how […]

We’re all about keeping sustainability simple and fun here at TVA EnergyRight. So this Earth Day, on April 22, we invite you to take the Earth Day Challenge. We’ve rounded up 10 eco-conscious actions you can take to reduce your environmental footprint. Download the Earth Day Challenge Checklist so you can mark your progress as […]

Whether your spring break is taking you somewhere warm and toasty or cold and snowy, don’t miss an opportunity to save energy at home while you’re away. A little bit of quick and easy at-home prep before you leave can mean a lower energy bill when you return. And a few extra bucks in your […]

Cold weather can do a number on your winter energy bills, especially when temperatures dip into the teens or lower. But it doesn’t have to. There are some simple —and free — steps you can take to help manage your energy bill during the coldest months of the year. Plus, you can access free home […]

Renters, this one’s for you! Saving energy at home isn’t just for homeowners. There are lots of simple, easy and totally free things you can do to lower your household utility costs. Because, let’s face it, unless something breaks, it’s pretty unlikely your landlord will proactively invest in costly energy-saving upgrades or repairs, like ENERGY […]

Anytime is the right time to try out new energy-saving habits or practices. But with the New Year upon us, there’s also no time like the present to put the excitement of a fresh start to good use, especially if it could save you money! Whether you rent or own your home, need no-cost or […]

15 ways to save energy at home even when you’re traveling for the holidays  If you’re heading out of town this holiday season, it’s the perfect time to save some extra energy at home. Fewer people in the house = less energy used. It’s Home Alone, but without the elaborate schemes to stop the Wet […]

Make the holidays merry and bright while keeping your energy bill in check.  The holidays, and winter specifically, can mean higher energy bills. Maybe you’re hosting fun gatherings or welcoming out-of-town guests. Maybe the kids are home from school. Or maybe dropping temperatures have you reaching for the thermostat more than usual. It can be […]

Your bags are packed, and it’s finally time to hit the road. But before you go, there’s one last thing to do. It’s time to power down your home! Whether you’re escaping for a weekend away, heading out for a week-long work trip or cruising the high seas over a long holiday break, take advantage […]

If you live in the South then you know how Southern summers feel. (Cue someone saying, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity“!) Blazing temperatures can start in late spring and run all the way into early fall. So, we’ve rounded up 14 ways to stay cool, use less energy and keep your energy bill […]

Lewis Davis may have retired in 2021, but his life is still very active. He and his wife, Bernice, are raising two young sons and two American Bully dogs — the youngest just a few weeks old. Photographs of their family adorn the living room walls, and Davis’ favorite brown leather recliner draped in a […]

Family photographs hang from every wall of Ann Darnall’s Hardin, Kentucky, home. Children’s toys are neatly tucked away in the corner, waiting for her two great-grandsons to visit and scatter them on the floor. “I have been called Boda since my grandson was born,” recalls Darnall. “When he was little, he’d call me Boda. We […]

Jessica Malone’s kitchen is one of a kind. Her off-white, hand-painted cabinets turned into a literal “hands-on” paint project. “I would let them [my sons] paint on the linoleum floor to use it as a canvas,” recalls Malone. “When they were done, I would mop it up. Then, Dalton, my youngest, wanted to make the […]

Jerry Perry lives in what appears to be an unassuming house across the street from a park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, until he proudly shows off the addition he created when he moved in decades ago – a small hair salon, complete with a vintage hair dryer chair and salon bowl. “I lived and worked in […]

James Pardue is a little frustrated with the black car parked in front of his Antioch home. He purchased the used vehicle weeks ago to fix and resell, but he can’t get the car engine to turn over. Resigned to worry about it another day, he heads inside his home. His steps are deliberate and […]

Adventure is calling you—to the great indoors. Oh, humidity—it’s you again. The heat has officially set in and our air conditioners are working overtime—which means, for many homeowners, energy use is on our minds. This summer, TVA EnergyRight® is making managing your energy costs a little more fun and a whole lot more rewarding—with The Great […]

Dwight Bailey has sat down at many kitchen tables to discuss with potential customers one of the biggest home appliance purchases they may ever make: an HVAC system. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and it heats homes in the winter and cools them in the summer. Bailey doesn’t take this part of […]

The autumn sun rises on a quiet morning in historic Oxford square. Known locally as simply “The Square,” in a matter of hours, this entertainment epicenter will come alive in this small Mississippi town.  The Lafayette County Courthouse, a white, Greek Revival-style building on the National Register of Historic Places, sits at the center of […]

With a click of a mouse from his Nashville home office, Grant England and his friendly Energy Monster pals “turn off” a cartoon lamp on his laptop screen. At that exact moment, over a hundred miles away in Killen, Alabama, an 8-year-old’s eyes light up.  “That was really cool!” says Lily Mitchell with a broad […]

“So, what you want to do is look upward with the camera and just make sure it’s completely sealed off,” chimes a voice from a smartphone held in Bri Moran’s hand. The six months pregnant mom-to-be crouched down and looked up into the fireplace of her East Nashville home, pointing the phone’s camera into the […]

COVID-19 has impacted communities throughout the Valley and the look and feel of our everyday lives has changed. Alongside your local power company, TVA EnergyRight is a trusted energy advisor during this time when your energy use may be different. We here to offer energy resources, such as low-to-no cost tips, advice and access to […]

Summertime and typical family vacations in the Valley look a little different this year, but it’s still a chance for students to set aside schoolwork for a few months. Pulaski, Tennessee mom Shawntae Phelps found a fun option to keep her kids entertained while learning about energy –  TVA EnergyRight’s Eye Spy Energy Kids’ Kit.  […]