Tips On Conserving Energy
Energy conservation is a big topic these days for homewoners. Cutting costs on utility bills as well as helping the environment are key benefits. While many homeowners are making changes and smarter choices, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical U.S. family will spend in excess of $1,600 a year on energy costs. This amount could be lessened as a large portion of the energy used is wasted. There are a number of simple steps we can take to save energy, and money, in our homes.
Below are some simple energy saving tips that are easy, and cost little or no money at all to implement into a new energy efficient home for you and your family.
- Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 43% of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling. Install a programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system to help keep the settings low in the winter and a little higher in the warmer months to help conserve.
- To help make your heating and cooling systems more efficient, be sure to clean or replace filters once a month or as needed.
- Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
- Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
- Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
- Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).
- Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° F.
- Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
- Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on home appliances and products. ENERGY STAR® products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
This is the first step in making your home “energy efficient” and will also save you money. For more information on any of the tips listed here, or to learn how you can cut your energy use up to 25%, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website for consumer tips.
