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Look for the Energy Star
When buying new appliance, buy the most energy-efficient model possible to save energy, save money, and curb emissions.
25 percent of your home's heating and cooling is lost through little holes and cracks in your home.
On average, every degree that you lower your thermostat will save you 3 percent on your heating bill.
Turn down your water heater. Set your hot water heater at 120 degrees, most manufacturers default setting is 140 degrees.
10 Easy Ways to Save on Energy at Home
It's easy to save on energy, and thus save money, at home. From using ceiling fans to adding power strips to finding creative new uses for bubble wrap, there are a variety of easy and proven ways to lower energy bills, and several can be done over a weekend or in even less time. These 10 ideas will set you on the road to home energy savings.
1. Minimize Phantom Loads
The term “phantom load” refers to the energy that an appliance or electronic device consumes when it is not actually turned on. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), “In the average home, 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.” A report from the University of California Berkeley says that phantom loads account for about 6 percent of all national residential electricity consumption. You can eliminate phantom loads by unplugging appliances and electronics when you are not using them, or by plugging them into a power strip, and turning the strip off when they are not in use. For more information, see Save Energy, Eliminate Phantom Loads.
2. Use More Energy-efficient Appliances
If you are shopping for new appliances, make sure to look for the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star label before making a purchase. Energy Star appliances use between 10 and 50 percent less energy and water than their conventional counterparts. They may cost more than appliances without the Energy Star designation, but in most cases they will more than make up that additional cost through energy savings.
3. Change Your Light Bulbs
One of the least expensive and most effective changes you can make in your home is replacing your light bulbs. According to Energy Star, one of its qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), which cost just a few dollars, “will save about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in about 6 months. It uses 75 percent less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.” Although some people are concerned because CFLs contain mercury, Energy Star says that CFLs do not release any mercury when in use, and actually reduce mercury emissions because they lessen the need for electricity from power plants that emit mercury. Learn more at Energy Star's CFLs and Mercury page. For more energy-efficient lighting, see Bright Ideas for Home Lighting or the Energy Star CFL page.
4. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats work by automatically adjusting your home's temperature to your schedule, keeping it comfortable only when you need it to be. If you don't already adjust your thermostat throughout the day, a programmable thermostat could save you as much as 15 percent on heating and cooling costs. For more information on programmable thermostats, including a step-by-step guide to installing one, check out How to Install a Programmable Thermostat.
5. Use Fans for Cooling
In the summer, use stationary, ceiling and whole-house fans to cool your home, reducing the need for air conditioning. Simple Ways to Cool Your Home and Save Big explains that for every degree you raise your thermostat, you reduce your cooling costs between 7 and 10 percent.
6. Seal Air Leaks
In addition to thinking about whether your home has enough insulation, you should also look for any small cracks and gaps where air is leaking into and out of your home. Energy Star says that between improving insulation and sealing leaks, homeowners could potentially save 10 percent on their annual energy bill. The article Leak-proof Your House and Save suggests that the first step in sealing a house is to tackle windows and doors. If searching for leaks sounds like a daunting task, you can hire an energy auditor to assess your house and find problem areas. Read more in Energy Audits: What Homeowners Need to Know.
7. Make Windows More Efficient
Even if you seal windows well, window glass is a thin barrier against outside temperatures. If you can afford it, install new storm windows in your home. How to Make Your Home Energy Efficient explains that storm windows reduce temperature loss by sealing leaks and creating a dead airspace between window panes. Though installation is expensive ($8,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on a variety of factors), storm windows have a relatively short return on investment (about 10 years).
If you can't install new storm windows, there are other simple and inexpensive ways to improve the energy efficiency of your windows. You can cover windows with transparent material to improve insulation. Energy guru Gary Reysa recommends using bubble wrap for this, and estimates that it can reduce heat loss from a window by half. Check out Save Energy with Winter Window Treatments for other ways to make your windows more efficient, including using insulated shades and window quilts.
9. Conserve Water
Using less water will lower your water bill. And when you use less hot water, you'll also see savings in your gas bill, or your electric bill if you have an electric water heater. According to DOE, water heating is the third most energy consuming function in the home. To cut down on water use, take faster showers and be conscious of the water you use when washing dishes and clothes and preparing food. You can also save energy by lowering your hot water temperature. According to DOE, a water thermostat setting of 120 degrees is sufficient for most uses. If you want more water-efficient fixtures and appliances, refer to the EPA's WaterSense program when buying a new faucet or showerhead. See Save Money on Water for more on the WaterSense program, or the DOE site on Water Heating.
10. Plant Trees and Shrubs
Planting shade trees around your home can lower your summer energy bill by reducing your home's exposure to the sun. The Sacramento Municipal Utility District, which operates a program that gives free trees to its customers, says that properly placed tress can cut your summer electric bill by up to 40 percent. Energy savings from a tree varies greatly depending on its size and location in relation to your house. Planting shrubs and bushes around your home can improve insulation in the summer and winter. DOE says that if they are planted 1 foot away from your home, they create a dead airspace that shields against cold or hot outdoor temperatures. Learn more about using trees for shade from Money Does Grow on Trees.
The following tips will help you save even more money and energy:
• Wash clothes with cold water; today’s laundry detergents work just as well in cold water.
• Add an insulating blanket to older water heaters. This could reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45% and save about 4%–9% in water heating costs.
• Remember to service and maintain your appliances, which can save you an additional three to ten percent on your annual energy bills.
• Seal air leaks. Sealing air leaks can result in up to 30% energy savings, according to energy.gov.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
• Use microwaves and toaster ovens to cook or warm leftovers. You’ll use less energy than cooking with a conventional oven.
• Add aerators to your faucets. Choose aerators with a flow rate of no more than 1.0 gpm for maximum savings.
• Take advantage of tax rebates for energyefficient appliances. (See below for informational resources on these rebates.)
• Small household appliances that require a direct current, like televisions and microwaves, can leak electricity even when they’re turned off. The average US house leaks 50 watts of power from these appliances, adding up to $3 billion in wasted energy costs annually. Unplug small household appliances—or better yet, plug them all into one power strip and then switch off the power strip. Plug home electronics into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use.
• Keep the oven door closed while cooking — the temperature can drop by as many as 25 degrees each time you open the oven door.
• Install a programmable thermostat to lower utility bills and manage your heating and cooling systems efficiently. Turning your thermostat back 10°-15° for 8 hours can save 5%-15% a year on your heating bill.
• Insulate heating ducts. In a typical house 20-30% of the air moving through the duct system is lost due to leaks.
• Open curtains facing the sun; close curtains/blinds at night.
• Install low-flow showerheads. For maximum water efficiency, select a showerhead with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gpm. • Clean the dryer lint filter regularly to keep your dryer running efficiently.
Every action taken at home can add up to a lot of benefits for the Earth and your pocketbook. When shopping for new appliances, always look for the most efficient models.
THE HOME ENERGY SAVER Find the Best ways to Save Energy in Your Home
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