The holidays are behind us, decorations are packed away and many of us are looking ahead to fresh goals for the year. As you plan for 2026, consider a resolution that delivers benefits all year long: saving energy at home.
The Conway Corp Energy Smart Challenge is designed to help Conway residents take control of their energy use through smart, affordable improvements that increase comfort and lower monthly bills. This year, getting started is even more rewarding—participants will be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card to help kick-start energy-saving upgrades.
Whether you’re planning a major home improvement or starting small, energy efficiency is a resolution that’s easy to maintain—and one that truly makes a difference.
Below are five simple steps to follow throughout the year to create meaningful savings and a more efficient home.
Start with a Free Professional Home Energy Audit
A professional home energy audit from Conway Corp is the first step toward saving energy—and it’s completely free.
Audits are available to homeowners. Renters may also participate with permission from their landlord prior to scheduling an audit.
During the audit, a certified energy professional will conduct a walk-through of your home using specialized tools and techniques to evaluate its energy efficiency. The inspection helps identify how much energy your home uses and where improvements can be made, including heating and cooling performance, window and door sealing, insulation levels and opportunities to conserve electricity.
The results often uncover simple, cost-effective fixes that can lead to long-term savings.
Big Savings Can Start Small
Each year, homes that receive a free Energy Smart audit save more than $2 million combined in utility costs. Over the life of the program, participating homes have saved more than $15 million.
Some solutions are inexpensive—like sealing air leaks with a $4 tube of caulk that could save up to $100 in energy costs. Other improvements, such as adding insulation, upgrading lighting or replacing appliances, can be completed gradually over time.
Benchmark Your Energy Usage
Looking at a full year of utility bills may feel overwhelming, but benchmarking is an important step in understanding your energy use and tracking progress.
The myConwayCorp app allows you to view the past 13 months of electric and water usage for your home. Establishing a baseline makes it easier to see improvements, prioritize projects and stay motivated throughout the year.
Make One Energy-Efficiency Upgrade Each Month
You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Start with small, manageable upgrades.
Lighting accounts for about 10 percent of a home’s energy use. Replacing five frequently used light bulbs with ENERGY STAR®-rated LED bulbs can save nearly $100 a year. These bulbs use significantly less energy and last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
For larger savings, installing a smart thermostat can reduce annual utility costs by about 15 percent. Upgrading to ENERGY STAR® certified appliances can save nearly $750 over the lifetime of the product.
Take Advantage of Energy Smart Loans
To help make improvements more affordable, Conway Corp offers zero percent interest Energy Smart loans for qualifying home upgrades, including appliance replacements and insulation projects.
Loans range from $500 to $2,500 and are repayable over 36 months. There are no income limits, but applicants must be Conway Corp customers with a good credit history. To date, more than 450 loans totaling over $1.5 million have been provided to customers.
Sign Up for the 2026 Energy Smart Challenge
Set an energy-saving goal that works for you—whether it’s reducing energy use by 5 percent or saving $300 compared to last year. Once you’ve set your goal, commit to it.
Visit conwaycorp.com/EnergySmartChallenge to officially sign up, find energy-saving tips, schedule your free home energy audit and learn more about available loan options.
Please note: Free residential energy audits are available to homeowners. Renters must obtain landlord permission prior to scheduling an audit.
Customers who register for the Energy Smart Challenge and schedule their free residential energy audit during January will be entered to win a $100 gift card to help with energy-efficiency improvements. Three winners will be selected by random drawing in February 2026.
To schedule an energy audit or learn more about the zero-interest loan program, call 501-450-6000 or email comments@ConwayCorp.net.
