By: Tammy Biondi
The average consumer spends about $2,000 a year on energy bills. According to the utility trade association The Alliance To Save Energy, much of those dollars and that energy is wasted. They emphasize that, by following a few simple suggestions and guidelines, it is possible to lower your electric bill by up to a third.
The following list includes some of their energy saving tips as well as tips from other energy conservation experts.
- Buy Energy Efficient Appliances and Use Them Efficiently. Big appliances such as hot water heaters and refrigerators use a tremendous amount of energy. The average refrigerator accounts for about 10% of the average household's energy use. This means that buying energy efficient appliances can lead to big electric bill savings. Make sure that the appliances you buy are the most energy efficient in their class and are the right size for your household. if you buy a giant refrigerator or hot water heater that you don't need, you'll be stuck paying for plenty of empty refrigerator space or many gallons of unused hot water.
- Unplug Appliances and Electronic Devices That Are Not in Use. Even appliances that are turned off use electricity. The blinking clock on your VCR is a prime example of wasted electricity. The clocks and memory chips in toasters, microwaves, DVD and CD players, TVs and cordless telephones are also big electricity hogs, even when they are turned off. Unplugging these "energy vampires" when they're not in use is likely to cut your household's power bill by about 5%.
- Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use only a third as much energy as comparable incandescent bulbs. That means that when you use compact fluorescents, you will get the same amount of light for a third the money. They are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but they last about 14 times longer than them too. As an extra energy-saving bonus, compact fluorescents run much cooler than incandescent bulbs, meaning that they won't heat your house up. This allows you to use less air conditioning during the summer months.
- Turn Your Humidifier Up So That You Can Comfortably Turn Your Heat Down. Everyone can save money by turning their heat down. Depending on your home's energy efficiency and how cold the winters are where you live, you will be able to cut your energy bill by up to 5% for each degree you turn your heat down. Here's where turning on your humidifier can help you: increased humidity allows the air to hold more heat and conduct it better. The result is that you'll feel cozier and more comfortable and will be able to turn down your heat without feeling chilly.
- Fix Air Leaks in Your Home and Heating System. If your house has a forced air heating system, you should check it for leaks and use duct sealant (not duct tape) or silicone caulk to fix any leaks that you find. Leaks in your duct work can account for up to a third of your household's wasted energy. Gaps around chimneys and under or around exterior doorways can also account for lots of lost heat.
- Use a Programmable Thermostat. Programmable thermostats are inexpensive, easy to install and, when used properly, they will cut you power bill about $150 a year, according to the EPA program EnergyStar. Here's how they work: you program them to turn your heat down during the times when you don't need it, such as when you are at work or asleep, and to keep the heat turned up when want it to be warmer.
These six simple tips can save you hundreds of dollars a year and will also help you do your part in protecting our nation's air quality and conserving natural resources.
