Turn your home into an energy saver
Rising energy costs have made utility bills a nightmare for many people. Fortunately, there are many ways for a consumer to save on power bills. Some steps you can take cost little or nothing. Others require a significant investment but will pay for themselves in long-term savings. One bonus of reducing power bills is that almost anything you do will also help the environment. Does this Spark an idea?
Change Habits
Make a practice of turning lights and other devices off when you are not using them. It's also helpful to unplug some electronic gadgets entirely if they use power even when "turned off." Keep doors and windows closed whenever you run the air conditioning or heating system. If you have inside entrances into a garage or hallway, use them in hot or cold weather instead of entries that open directly to the outdoors.
Adjust Settings
Set your air conditioning or heating thermostat up or down (depending on the season). Most often, 68 degrees F is the recommended temperature, but individuals' preferences will vary. Try to select the coolest (or warmest) temperatures you are comfortable with and make a point of keeping the temperature at that level. Turn the thermostat on the hot water heater down if it is above about 120 degrees F. That way, you aren't paying to keep water hotter than necessary for hours on end, but the water will still be hot enough for appliances to function properly. You may want to consider timers to turn some appliances and devices on or off automatically.
Small Purchases
Stick to compact fluorescent lights (CFL), which use 75 to 80 percent less electricity. In an average home they can reduce power consumption 7 percent. CFLs last several times as long as conventional incandescent bulbs. You can replace worn out weather stripping around doors and windows at little cost. This is a simple do-it-yourself project that can reduce power bills significantly. Another do-it-yourself project is to install flow restrictors on faucets, which can also cut your water bill.
Invest in Efficiency
Switching to energy-efficient appliances, including heating and cooling systems, is one of the best ways to reduce a consumer's power bill. However, the reality is that many people simply can't afford to run out and buy expensive major appliances. What you can do is plan ahead to replace each appliance with an energy-efficient model as it nears the end of its useful life, minimizing or eliminating extra costs. Installing insulation and/or sealing leaks can be expensive, but this is not always the case. Many leaks can be plugged easily with new covers for electric sockets, weather stripping, or by adding a little insulating material. Others require more extensive work like replacing window and door frames in an older home. Properly insulating and sealing your home is likely to pay off in the long run, especially if you are handy with tools and can do some installation jobs yourself.
Tags: power bills, conditioning heating, do-it-yourself project, doors windows, many people, Others require, reduce power
