This is a comprehensive list of ways you can save energy and save money at the same time.
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These are the best ways that you can achieve financial freedom.
- Call the utility companies and ask them if they have plans at a lower rate for the elderly, disabled, single Moms, etc. You will never know unless you ask.
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Participate in your power company's special energy-saving program. Some programs shut down electric appliances for short bursts of time during peak hours.
Many electric companies have these “load management programs” offering off-hour cut rateprograms that can save you $100’s a year in electricity costs. You hardly notice the difference -- except in your bill.
Call your electric utility to check for information about these cost-saving programs.
Get a home energy audit every couple of years if your power company offers one. They are usually free, and you will probably find ways to lower your energy cost.
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Save energy by lowering your hot water heater thermostat 10 degrees, but no lower than 120 degrees. You will still get all the hot water you need. This will save energy of about 25 kilowatt-hours a month. That should reduce your energy cost a minimum of $2.50 per month. These small ways of saving money add up.
You can save energy by turning off appliances that you don't use frequently. If they aren't often used, a computer system, VCR, stereo amplifier, or microwave that is powered-up and illuminated is showing you that it’s costing you money. Turn off your computer when not in use, or use the energy-saving "sleep" mode.
Dress warmer in the cool months. Wear a sweater, long sleeve shirt, or sweat shirt indoors. Not only will you feel warmer and be healthier, it reduces your heating costs big-time because you can drop your thermostat setting 2-4 degrees.
When light bulbs burn out, replace them with the new energy saver long life bulbs. Visit your hardware or home improvement center to see what is available. Ask the experts there. There has been a revolution in light bulb technology.
With good advice, you can dramatically reduce the power required for each light. Each bulb replaced will multiply your savings. Plus, they are often are guaranteed to last five years. That will keep you off ladders, and saves you the time.
Long life bulbs are especially important if they are in fixtures that are hard to reach or require a ladder to change. They also generate much less heat, which will reduce your cooling bills.
- Buy programmable thermostats for both your heating and cooling. These are a great way of saving money on energy costs. They cost $25 to $100 depending on features. They are very easy to install. Set them and forget them.
You will be very pleased when you see your heating and cooling costs drop 200-500 dollars per year.
Also, why heat or cool an empty house? If your home is vacant most of the day set thermostat to turn up the heat or cool the house half an hour before anyone arrives home.
If you don’t have programmable thermostats, you can still reduce your energy cost by lowering the thermostat to 68 in the day and 58 at night.
If you just turn down your home thermostat by two degrees, you will save energy. It might not sound like much, but it adds up to big dollars over days, weeks, months and years. Saving money over time is the name of the game.
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Check with your utility company for rebates whenever you install equipment to help save energy.
Fix leaky faucets -- one drip a second from a hot water faucet is 20 kilowatts a month. It is small, but it still lowers your energy cost.
Landscape with the right mix of trees and shrubs to save energy by blocking winter winds or the summer sun. In addition, they bring birds, provide shade and comfort on hot days.
Save energy with insulation:
Add more energy-efficient insulation to your attic, preferably with a resistance rating of R-21 to R-30. In addition, insulation can be blown into sidewalls.
Increased insulation will often pay for itself in 3-4 years. You will reduce your energy cost and after that time, it will be all savings.
As a bonus, the protection from the insulation will greatly increase your comfort level and enjoyment of your home summer and winter.
Invest in weather-stripping kits if you have drafty doors. They are very easy to install and the elimination of those drafts will keep the family healthier and happier.
Seal any energy leaks. Caulk over cracks and small holes around windows and exterior walls. Look carefully around plumbing pipes, telephone wires, dryer vents, sink and bathtub drains and under counter tops.
Buy insulation kits for you duplex plug-ins (electrical outlets) on exterior walls.
Do you have leaky windows or doors? Can you feel the cool air coming in? Use foam insulation strips.
For windows, you can also use clear, removable weather strip caulk for the winter months.
You apply it with a caulk gun in the fall and then it pulls off easily in the spring.
Caution: you are effectively caulking your windows closed with this so make sure you have a way to escape in the event of a fire.
Reduce your energy cost with a front-loading washing machine and dryer. They use 50 percent less energy and one-third less water. Plus, they remove far more water in the rinse cycle, and that translates into big savings in dryer time.
While they are more expensive by 25-50% than top loaders, but they wash better, are easier on fabrics, and will pay for themselves in 3-4 years. After that time, you will continue to save energy as you are saving money.
You can save energy with your choice of roof. When building a home or replacing a roof, select a roof based more on energy efficiency than on how it looks.
Light-colored roofs, such as white, galvanized metal or cement tile, do the best job of reflecting the sun, and cool quickly at night.
Use storm windows in the cooler months. The energy cost reduction will pay for them very quickly.
When you buy new appliances, take the time to shop carefully. Check with Consumers Report in your library. Shop several stores, check you Sunday paper for sales.
Find an experienced sales clerk and get his recommendations. Make certain that any new appliances you purchase, especially air conditioners and furnaces are energy-efficient.
Information on the energy efficiency of major appliances is found on Energy Guide Labels required by federal law.
You can save energy and hundreds of dollars a year on electric bill.
Buy major appliances that sport the "Energy Star" sticker. That shows the appliance meets or exceeds standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Check with your Electric Utility to learn if it has a program to help reduce the costs ofany appliance purchases.
