Energy Saving Tips

Whether you’re looking to save the environment or just looking to save a few bucks on your electric bill, you’ll love these energy saving tips.

Switch Out Your Lightbulbs

By now you’ve probably heard about how much energy regular incandescent light bulbs waste, but have you done something about it yet? Spending an hour to go out and replace all of your traditional bulbs with compact fluorescent lights will save you energy for years to come. If you’re really committed, consider getting LED lights, as these don’t contain the same potentially harmful gasses as compact fluorescents while still providing the same energy savings benefits.

Look for Energy Star Appliances

Over the last few years, the Energy Star system has really taken off as a great way to identify those appliances that either meet or exceed energy saving standards set by the EPA and the US department of energy. While most people can’t afford to just go out and upgrade all of their appliances with their energy saving equivalents, the next time you have to replace an old appliance think of it as a great opportunity for lowering your energy use.

Replace Your Washer and Refrigerator First

Most people aren’t aware that their refrigerator is one of the biggest energy sinks in their home. Yet these necessary appliances utilize a tremendous amount of electricity when they are operating, and they operate around the clock. Many people have seen drastic cuts in their electric bill by simply switching out their fridges for more energy efficient models.

Washing machines are another appliance that produces big returns when replaced with its energy star equivalent. While you clearly don’t use your washing machine as often as you use your fridge, keep in mind that a front-loading washer only uses half the energy of a standard machine.

Deal with Water Waste

Leaking faucets are more than just mild annoyances; they also waste a tremendous amount of energy every month. One leaking faucet alone can waste dozens of kilowatts every month.

It’s also a good idea to set the temperature a little lower on your hot water tank. You won’t even notice a difference in the temperature or supply of hot water your home receives, but you’ll be able to save a few dozen more kilowatts every month by simply dropping the temperature by only a few degrees.

Thermostat Tips and Tricks

It’s easy to ignore the impact that heating your house has on your energy bill. A warm house is one of those things that we all inherently need, and the thought of going cold to save a few bucks a month isn’t very appealing to most of us. Thankfully, you don’t need to sacrifice comfort to save energy by being conscious of your home’s temperature.

One of the best energy saving tips is to program your thermostat to only keep the house warm when there are going to be people around. Set your thermostat to switch up the heat before you arrive home, and to start to cool it off after you are asleep.

Live somewhere hot? You can use the same tips with your air conditioner.

I hope these energy saving tips get you thinking about ways where you can save on energy in your home or business.