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There are many things that can be done around the house to lessen the impact of spiraling energy costs that sap your household budget. Follow these suggestions and you will save money.
*It is more economical to use one large bulb than several small bulbs. For instance, a 100-watt bulb gives as much light as six 25-watt bulbs but uses less than 2/3 the power.
*Keep your freezer full since all the frozen items will keep other items cold, but do not pack your fridge. It needs room so that air can circulate around the food.
*Cool hot foods before putting them in the refrigerator or freezer. Also, be sure all moist foods are covered since high humidity requires more energy.
*Keep the drapes open during the day to take in the heat from the sun, but shut them at night to keep out the cold.
*Take short showers instead of baths.
*Use your dryer efficiently. Keep the lint filter in your dryer clean and dry loads one after another so that less energy is needed to warm up the dryer.
*Wear layers of clothing instead of turning up the thermostat in the house. For every degree you lower the thermostat, you save 3% on your heating bill. Try a hooded sweatshirt, lightweight sweaters or slacks made of closely woven fabric.
*Insulate your hot water heater and the hot water pipes to keep the water hot.
*Iron your clothes when they are still damp. It saves on drying time and you do not have to use steam.
*Replace incandescent lights that are on for 3 or more hours with compact fluorescent lights. They last up to 10 times longer and cost one quarter the amount to operate.
*Dust light bulbs and fixtures to improve light output. A dusty bulb will give off up to 50% less light. Always turn off the light when you leave a room.
*Fill up the dishwasher before using it. You'll use the same amount of energy and water for a half full load as you would for a full one.
*Consider replacing very old appliances, such as refrigerators. Newer appliances offer energy-saving features that will more than make up the initial investment.
*If replacing aging appliances is not an option, try cleaning the appliance thoroughly and replacing any worn parts. Cleaning the coils on the back of the refrigerator allows air to circulate more freely and helps the refrigerator maintain an even temperature. Defrost refrigerators and freezers regularly. Frost works as an insulator forcing the appliance to work harder to maintain proper temperature.
*Ensure that refrigerator door seals are tight. Put a piece of paper between the door and refrigerator and after shutting the door, if the paper pulls out easily, replace the seal. Cleaning the coils in the back once a year will help it run more efficiently.
*Always load the dishwasher fully and properly, and turn off the “heat dry” feature. When the dishwasher has completed its final rinse, wait for the steam to settle, and allow the dishes to air-dry (crack the door for about 30 minutes); or hand-dry the dishes as you put them away. This can save a significant amount of the energy used to heat the dishes dry. If you do need to wash a smaller load, take advantage of the “Light Wash” cycle present on most dishwashers.
*Remember that hotter is not always better. You can wash all but your most soiled colors in cold water; for heavily soiled colors, use warm water instead of hot. Most whites can be washed in warm or cold cycles, as well. Avoid small loads, even if the washer has a small setting. Conversely, avoid overfilling the washer, as clothes will not be thoroughly cleaned and may require a second, water-wasting washing.
*Line-dry clothes whenever possible – not only does this save energy, but your clothes will last longer. A quick five-minute tumble in the dryer with a quarter fabric softener sheet will leave your clothes soft and fresh smelling. To help clothes dry more quickly in the dryer, toss in a few dry hand towels – they “soak up” the extra moisture and can substantially decrease drying time.
*Your hot water heater may represent a hidden treasure chest of savings. Purchase and install a timer, which turns the heater on and off at preset times, according to your family’s hot-water needs. Reducing the temperature of the water heater to 150 degrees (do not go below this temperature, as your clothes and dishes won’t be adequately cleaned) saves energy and reduces the risk of children being scalded.
*Put a plastic jug filled with water in the water tank of the toilet to decrease the water usage. Do not use a brick or anything that could fall apart and disintegrate.
*Install a single-control shower valve that lets you preset the water temperature so that you do not waste as much water when you are making hot and cold adjustments.
Make sure you try to incorporate some or all of the above suggestions into your daily life. Using these tips can put extra money in the bank for you every month.
If you would like to see additional money-saving tips, check out the DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME, HEALTH & MONEY GUIDE, 500 pages of household tips, home remedies, diet and nutrition information, health issues and thousands of recipes!
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