Cut Your Energy Bills fast - today
Do you know where your energy dollars go each month?
Most people do not. It is like shopping in a store where prices are not marked.
You know it is expensive to heat your home in winter and cool in the summer. But you might not realize that you may be spending as much on energy for hot water, appliances and lights each year.
Because these energy costs are year-round, small changes in these areas add up to big savings.
Most people do not. It is like shopping in a store where prices are not marked.
You know it is expensive to heat your home in winter and cool in the summer. But you might not realize that you may be spending as much on energy for hot water, appliances and lights each year.
Because these energy costs are year-round, small changes in these areas add up to big savings.
You realize it when you see the bill in mail after the fact.
It may not seem like using a different kind of light bulb (CFL/LED) or tightening up your windows will really make a difference. But with at least these 10 easy ways to save energy, you can cut your energy bills - fast! – Today.
1. Set back your thermostat. If you lower the temperature ten degrees for at least eight hours a day, you can save ten percent on your energy bills – without sacrificing your comfort.
2. Do a home energy audit. These surveys analyze how and where you use energy, helping you pinpoint easy ways to cut back on electricity and natural gas consumption throughout your home.
3. Upgrade your attic insulation. Upgrading attic insulation from three inches to 12 inches can cut your heating bills by 20 percent – and air conditioning bills by 10 percent. (install attic fan)
4. Weatherize doors and windows. A few inexpensive tubes of caulk and rolls of weather-stripping can help reduce heating bills by 20 percent and cooling bills by 10 percent.
5. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs. Or LED. They last ten times longer than ordinary bulbs, and they use 75 percent less energy. You’ll save $40 over the life of just one bulb!
6. Check your furnace filter. Failing to clean or replace a filter can make your furnace and central air conditioner run harder, quickly reducing its operating efficiency and life span. (insulate the ducts and install a humidifier)
7. Install a water-saving showerhead. A family of four can cut their water-heating costs by $250 a year just by switching to an energy-saving showerhead. (aerators for faucets and reduce toilet tank water capacity)
8. Use smaller kitchen appliances. Microwaves, toaster ovens and slow cookers can use 75 percent less energy than a large electric oven, and they won’t heat up your kitchen on hot summer days. (more efficient appliances)
9. Get rid of that old refrigerator or freezer. It could be adding more than $100 to your electric bill every year. A new high-efficiency refrigerator uses less electricity than a light bulb! (get the rebates to subsidize your costs)
10. Give your appliances a vacation too. Before you leave on a trip, turn off and unplug everything you can, lower your thermostat to 50 degrees, and set your water heater to the lowest setting.
Check with you local Utilities as to what rebates you are entitled for in your geographical area, also check governmental tax credits available for you.
Take control of your energy bills
Every day, you make decisions that have a big impact on your electricity and natural gas costs – often without even realizing it.
Compiled by: YJ Draiman, Energy analyst
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