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Summer is here and everything's looking up: temperatures, fuel prices, and
electrical bills are all climbing. What can you do about it? Try these tips
to save money and help the planet keep its cool.
Smarter Lighting: A Bright Idea
One of the easiest and cheapest places to start saving energy is with lighting.
Tip #1 -- Replace Incandescent Bulbs with Compact
Fluorescent Lights.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs use only a third as much electricity as a standard
incandescent bulb. Because a compact fluorescent will usually last ten times
longer than a regular bulb, it will easily pay for itself. If
every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with a compact fluorescent
light bulb (CFL), it would prevent enough pollution to equal the removal of
one million cars from the road.
Tip #2 -- Replace Outdoor Lighting with a Motion-Detector Equipped
Bulb or Fixture.
Outdoor lights that are left on all night can waste energy
and disturb wildlife. You can safely and efficiently light the outside of your
home by installing light fixtures that are activated by motion sensor or a
timer. These devices will keep areas well lit when you need them to be while
reducing your energy bill
Hot Water Shouldn't Be a Drain on Your Wallet.
More than 10 percent of your energy bill goes to heating water for your dishwasher,
shower, and faucets. You can cut this energy use, and your energy bill, by
implementing
these easy steps.
Tip #3 -- Lower Your Hot Water Heater to 120 Degrees and Drain Any
Sediment.
Though you need to keep your water heater above 120 degrees to prevent bacteria
from building up, many hot water heaters are set too high. Draining some
water a few times a year reduces sediment and increases efficiency.
Tip #4 -- Add Insulation to Older Hot-Water Heaters.
The standard hot water heater is on all the time, adding extra insulation to
older, non-Energy Star heaters will save more energy than you think. Most
hardware stores sell pre-made insulator "jackets" that
can be easily wrapped around one's water heater. Adding insulation to your
water heater and any exposed pipes can knock up to 15 percent off the costs
of heating water.
Tip #5 -- Install a Low-Flow Shower Head.
Low-flow shower heads are also a worthwhile investment (especially for renters,
because you can take them with you) that will reduce the amount of hot water
you use and hence the energy needed to heat it.
Cool Your Home Without Heating the Planet
Taking steps to weatherize your home, can make maintaining a comfortable temperature
easier and cheaper.
Tip #6 -- Check For and Seal Cracks or Gaps.
Heating and cooling one's home is the single largest use of energy for the
average customer. Tiny gaps and cracks in an older home are roughly equivalent
to
a one-foot
square hole punched in your wall, which means that sealing gaps with caulking
and weather stripping makes a big difference and saves you money. Tip #7 -- Tighten Windows and Loosen Your Budget.
If all windows were as efficient as the best products now widely available
in the marketplace, the average household would save $150 a year, and reduce
its carbon dioxide emissions by about 4,300 pounds per year.Appliances
Tip # 8 -- Replace Old Appliances.
Though buying a new appliance isn't cheap, replacing an old appliance, like
a refrigerator, washing machine, or furnace with a new, energy-efficient
model can significantly cut your energy bill. Look for the Energy Star label
as a minimum; some models can be even more efficient. And though buying a
new appliance is a major investment, many states and utility companies offer
substantial credits or other incentives to replace an outdated appliance
with a more efficient one.
Tip # 9 Defrost Your Freezer.
The frost and ice that builds up in your freezer over time does more than make
it hard to get to your ice cream -- it also causes your freezer to work harder
to keep the freezer at a cold temperature. By routinely defrosting your freezer,
you can keep your ice cream cold and the planet cool.
Tip # 10 - Dirty Clothes, Clean Planet.
Modern washing machines and detergents can clean clothes effectively in cold
water -- which means you don't have to waste energy by using hot water. Another
way you can save energy in your washer-dryer and your dishwasher is to always
wash full loads.
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