There are many things you can do to save some energy (and money!) in your home. Start by doing some of our helpful hints as soon as today. Follow through with our other tips on a regular basis, as instructed,
Start Today:
- Turn down the temperature of your water heater from hot to warm. (120 degrees F). Besides scalding your hands, you'll save some money!
- Get an insulating blanket for your water heater to retain warmth in the H20.
- If you sleep on a waterbed, make sure to make your bed today, and everyday. Covering up the mattress acts very much the same as an insulating blanket, keeping the warmth in the mattress.
- Switch to the energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers.
- Do you have incandescent lights? Look for opportunities to replace them with compact fluorescents. These lights can save up to three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents.
- If your appliances are old, start scouting for deals or specials on new, more energy efficient models. You'll save money on your bills, and the hassle of having to replace the appliances in a jiffy when they break for good<
- Switch to the energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers.
- Clean or replace filters on ACs, heaters and other similar appliances.
What To Do This Weekend:
- Visit the hardware store. Buy low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators and compact fluorescent lightbulbs, as needed.
- If you have windows that aren't sealed completely tight, caulk the edges to reduce escaping cool or warm air.
- Clean or replace filters on ACs, heaters and other similar appliances.
This Month:
- Collect your utility bills. Separate electricity and fuel bills. Which is the biggest bill? Start looking around your house to see what small things you can do to make that bill smaller. Do this again next month.
- If you have an attic or crawl space, check to see what kind of insulation there is. You might need a little to keep valuable air from wasting out of this area.
- Insulate hot water pipes and ducts wherever they run through unheated areas.
- If you have cracks that whistle and feel drafty on windy days, you have an air leak that needs to be sealed. The worst culprits are usually not windows and doors, but utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
- Install a clock thermostat to set your thermostat back automatically at night.