Green Living:  10 quick and easy ways to save on your energy bill

Written by: Roxanne Darby

10 quick and easy ways to save on your energy bill

These tips will show you how to save energy, money and reduce the risks of global warming whether or not you own your home or rent.

• Lighting is one of the easiest places to start saving energy. Replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can save up to $65 per year. They provide high quality light, use 75% less energy and last 6-10 times longer than a standard incandescent bulb.
• Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home’s temperature when you’re away or sleeping. This can save up to $150 per year.
• Consider purchasing an energy efficient window unit for high usage areas.
• Consumer electronics play an increasingly larger role in your home’s energy consumption accounting for 15% of household electricity. Many electronic products use electricity even when switched off. Unplug any battery chargers or power adapters when not in use and use a power strip as a central “turn-off” point.
• A ten minute shower can use less water than a bath and using a 2.3 gallon-per-minute (low-flow) shower head can save up to $145 per year.
• Make sure all air registers are clear of furniture so that air can circulate freely.
• During cold weather, take advantage of the sun’s warmth by opening drapes and blinds and in the summer months, keep them closed.
• Only run your dish washer with a full load and use the air dry option when possible. Scarping dishes instead of rinsing will also help.
• Wash your laundry in cold water whenever possible. To save water, try to wash full loads or adjust water level to partial loads. Hot water heating accounts for 90% of the energy your machine uses to wash clothes.
• Don’t over dry clothes. Use the moisture sensor that will automatically turn the machine off when clothes are dry if your dryer has one. Keep the lint trap clean.

I hope this helps lower your energy bills and makes you feel a little “Greener” in the process.