What 's your game plan for saving energy?

 

Energy Saving Tips and Strategies:

Save energy. Save money. Stay comfortable ... Top 14 ways to power down your electricity costs at home.

• Replace any old refrigerators with an energy efficient one. Save up to $10 a month in electricity.
• Switch to cold water for your laundry and save $14 or more a month. Today's detergents are specifically designed for cold water washes. Remember to wash with full loads. Look for the ENERG Y STAR® label on new appliances. This rating ensures that your appliance operates with the highest standards of energy efficiency. Dry full loads in your dryer, but don't overload your dryer because it makes the dryer work longer and wastes energy. Better yet, use a clothesline during the summer months to reduce your electricity costs.
• Install insulation in the attic to eliminate up to 15% of your home's overall energy loss. Insulating your attic, floors, ceilings, and walls will ensure that you're not heating or cooling the outdoors.
• Caulk and weather-strip to eliminate drafts around windows and doors. Air leaks can account for 25% of your heating and cooling costs!
• Reduce phantom power. Even when they're off, appliances and electronics can account for 15% of your bill. Purchasing a power bar with a timer will ensure that phantom power is not consumed during those periods.
• Use motion sensor switches and timers. They are a great way to reduce energy usage, especially on high energy-consuming equipment like pool pumps.
• Install programmable thermostats. These energy efficient devices enable you to control your home's temperature settings 24/7. Energy savings will easily pay for the cost of the thermostat in the first year!
• Change to Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs which use up to 95% less energy than incandescent lights. One LED light can save you three times its purchase price in electricity costs. Also, LEDs can last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lights.
• A clean filter is just as important in the summer as it is in winter. Changing your furnace filters monthly can save up to 5% on your annual electricity bill as dirty air filters reduce airflow and cause your furnace to work harder than it needs to.
• Use fans instead of air conditioning. Ceiling fans use minimal electricity. Ceiling fans in high traffic areas of your home will ensure air is circulated properly throughout your home and assist in operating your home's heating and cooling system more efficiently.
• Wait until your dishwasher is full before you wash. Newer dishwashers will allow dishes to air dry and this feature uses a lot less energy. Wash dishes during less expensive, Off-Peak hours.
• When your computer is not in use, always turn it off or put it in sleep mode. Sleep mode will ensure that energy use is cut in half. Be sure to shut off the monitor whenever your computer isn't in use.