Here's How...
There are many ways to conserve energy - and save on your electric and
gas bills, too.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent
bulbs (CFLs). They use about one-quarter the energy of incandescent bulbs.
- Stop heating an empty house. About 30 percent of
home energy costs come from heating. Turn the thermostat down at night and
when no one is home. Better yet, purchase a programmable thermostat. Set it
once and forget it.
- Install "smart" power strips for all home electronics. Even
when home electronics are turned off, they're on standby mode and that uses energy.
Smart power strips have a switch, allowing you to safely turn equipment off
completely when not in use. The smart power strip automatically cuts power to
your peripheral devices (monitor, speakers, DVD, etc.) to eliminate their 'phantom
loads.' Plus, smart power strips protect sensitive electronic equipment from power surges.
(Smart Strip Power Strip)
- Lower the temperature on your hot water heater. For
most uses, a setting of 120°F provides comfortable hot water. Hot water heaters
are always on, so consider installing a timer and wrapping the heater with an
insulation blanket.
- Wash laundry in warm or - even better - cold water.
Heating water for laundry accounts for 85 percent of hot water heating bills.
- Your head bolt heater needs just two hours to warm the
engine. With a timer and extension cord, you'll have a warm engine when you need it.
- Run the dishwasher only when it's full. But don't overload it.
- Take the temperatures of your refrigerator and freezer. Too
cold and they use extra energy. The fresh food compartment should be 37° to 40°F. The
freezer section should be 5°F. Separate freezers for long-term storage should be kept at 0°F.
- Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator.
Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
- Move your refrigerator out from the wall and vacuum its
condenser coils once a year unless you have a no-clean condenser model. Your refrigerator
uses less energy with clean coils.
- If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.
For more energy conservation tips, go to more tips.
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