Reducing Energy Consumption

Reducing energy consumption is good for your budget and for the environment. Discover simple ways to cut your energy use in every room of the house, and start saving today.

Start with the Basics
According the US Department of Energy, the average family spends $1,300 a year on home energy costs. That's a lot of money. If you're serious about reducing your residential energy consumption, start with a home energy audit. Many utility companies offer free audits for customers, but if yours doesn't, you can conduct your own audit using the US Department of Energy's audit checklist as a reference.

Some Simple Ways to Reduce Your Energy Consumption:

1. Switch to CFL or LED light bulbs, which use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
2. Install a programmable thermostat and set it to run lower when you're at work and sleeping.
3. Unplug electronics when they aren't in use. Computers, TVs, VCRs and many other electronics draw energy even when they aren't turned on.
4. Take advantage of natural light whenever possible.

Would you like to reduce your energy consumption even more? Then check out these room-by-room suggestions:

Kitchen
It's probably no surprise that appliances are the biggest source of energy consumption in the kitchen. If you're in the market for new appliances, the best thing you can do is to purchase appliances that have an Energy Star. These appliances have met strict energy efficiency guidelines set forth by the US government. As an example, Energy Star refrigerators are at least 15% more efficient than other refrigerators on the market.

Do what you can to minimize the energy consumption of your existing appliances. Set the refrigerator to the manufacturer's recommended setting. Check to make sure the doors still seal tightly. Only preheat the oven when necessary. Use the microwave when you have small items to cook, and don't run the dishwasher until it's full. Any efforts you can make to cut your energy consumption in the kitchen will significantly lower your utility bill.

Bathroom
Most of the energy consumed in a bathroom is related to the heating of water. Start by setting the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Then work to find ways to reduce the amount of water that you use-less water used means less water heated. Install a low-flow showerhead, which uses just 2.5 gallons per minute or less. Take shorter showers, and install faucet aerators on your sinks if they didn't come equipped with them.

Living Room
If you have a fireplace in your living room, you may be wasting a lot of energy. While a fireplace seems like an energy saver, if you leave the damper open when the fireplace is not in use, it can pull a significant amount of heated air from your home. Turn off electronics and lights when they're not in use and try to avoid leaving them on for extended periods. Limit your TV time, and you'll be limiting your energy consumption.

Office
Computers, printers and fax machines make our lives easier, but they also contribute to our energy consumption. Turn off your computer when it's not in use and only turn on printers and other electronic devices when you need them. Do you have a desktop computer? Consider a laptop the next time you need to upgrade. Laptops use far less energy-as much as 135 watts less than desktops.

Laundry Room
To reduce your energy consumption in the laundry room you need to be conscious of how you wash and dry your clothes. To wash smarter, only wash full loads, wash in cold whenever possible and choose the shortest wash setting that will get your clothes clean. To dry smarter, air-dry whenever possible, avoid over drying, use the moisture sensor setting (if it's included on your dryer) and clean the dryer lint trap after each load.

Garage
Be sure not to overlook the garage on your quest to cut your home's energy use. Old refrigerators or freezers tucked away in the garage may seem useful, but they can add as much as $120 to your yearly electric bill. Also be on the lookout for tools that are left plugged into chargers; while they may not seem significant, they do add to your energy consumption.