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10 Easy Ways to Reduce Energy Costs

Don't forget the basics!!! You can reduce energy costs by doing some simple things....some of which you may have never even thought of!! 

1.  Set computers to sleep or hibernate.

• Enable the "sleep mode" feature on your computer, allowing it to use less power during periods of inactivity. In Windows, the power management settings are found on your control panel. Mac users, look for energy saving settings under system preferences in the apple menu.

• Configure your computer to "hibernate" automatically after 30 minutes of inactivity. The "hibernate mode" turns the computer off in a way that doesn't require you to reload everything when you switch it back on. Allowing your computer to hibernate saves energy and is more time-efficient than shutting down and restarting your computer from scratch. When you're done for the day, shut down.

2. Unplug your chargers.

• Every house is full of little plastic power supplies to charge cell phones, PDA's, digital cameras, cordless tools and other personal gadgets. Keep them unplugged until you need them.

3. Use power strips.

• Use power strips to switch off televisions, home theater equipment, and stereos when you're not using them. Even when you think these products are off, together, their "standby" consumption can be equivalent to that of a 100 watt light bulb running continuously.

4. Use appliances efficiently.

• Set your refrigerator temperature at 38 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit; your freezer should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the power-save switch if your fridge has one, and make sure the door seals tightly. You can check this by making sure that a dollar bill closed in between the door gaskets is difficult to pull out. If it slides easily between the gaskets, replace them.

• Don't preheat or "peek" inside the oven more than necessary. Check the seal on the oven door, and use a microwave oven for cooking or reheating small items.

• Wash only full loads in your dishwasher, using short cycles for all but the dirtiest dishes. This saves water and the energy used to pump and heat it. Air-drying, if you have the time, can also reduce energy use.

• In your clothes washer, set the appropriate water level for the size of the load; wash in cold water when practical, and always rinse in cold.

5. If you have a forced-air furnace, do NOT close heat registers in unused rooms.

• Your furnace is designed to heat a specific square footage of space and can't sense if a register is closed - it will continue working at the same pace. In addition, the cold air from unheated rooms can escape into the rest of the house, reducing the effectiveness of all your insulating and weatherizing.

6. If you'll be going on vacation.

• Lower the thermostat to 55 degrees. This will save energy while preventing water pipes from freezing.

7. Plant a tree. 

• One well-placed shade tree can reduce your cooling costs by 25 percent. For maximum benefit, place leafy shade trees to the south and west, and evergreens to the north.

8. Install more attic insulation.

• Upgrading from 3 inches to 12 inches of insulation can cut heating and cooling costs by up to 25 percent.

9. Fix leaky faucets.

• This is even more important if it's a hot water faucet. One drop per second can add up to 165 gallons a month - that's more than one person uses in two weeks.

10. Add foam gaskets behind all outlet covers and switch plates.

• These are prime places for outside air to leak into your home. Use safety plugs in unused outlets. Be sure to shut off power at the fuse box or circuit panel first.

 

 

Photo credit: Howdowesaveenergy.com