If your idea of conserving energy is lying very, very still on the couch for long periods of time, I hear you. But as the prices of pretty much everything in our lives keep going up (and our salaries don’t), it pays to think about conserving energy in the home, too. Here are 7 easy ways to use, and thus pay for, less energy.
1. Air-dry your clothing in a sun-lit room
Heaters use the most amount of electricity out of any appliance. Your clothes drier houses one of the most powerful heaters in your home (second only to your HVAC system). Why continue to pay for all that energy? Just hang your clothing in a sun-lit room and let the sun do it’s work, for free!
2. Take shorter showers
Studies show that the average teenager spends a whopping 45 minutes in the shower. 45 minutes! Encourage your kids to cut down on their American Idol practice time, and remind your husband that men who shave in the shower are wasting water, too, to the tune of several gallons. Bottom line: If you’re not actively sudsing or rinsing, turn the water off!
3. Unplug your TV and other unused appliances
It’s probably not news to any of you at this point that all plugged-in electronics constantly suck energy even when they’re “turned off.” But recently, the triple threat of flat screen TVs, cable boxes, and DVR devices have officially overtaken refrigerators as the biggest energy drain in American homes. And, while the fridge at least has an excuse for being plugged in all the time, the TV does not. Plug all those devices into a Smart Strip and it will automatically “unplug” everything for you when you’re not watching.
4. Consider replacing older refrigerators
The good news: every year refrigerators are getting more energy efficient, and it’s hard NOT to buy one with an Energy Star rating these days. The downside is that many people, upon upgrading to a better refrigerator, just move the old one to the garage and keep using it. But consider this: There’s a reason you replaced the old one it was too small, it didn’t work well, it was inefficient—so why would you keep it around? Think long and hard about what exactly you so desperately need to keep in deep-freeze storage. Extra ice for parties? Buy an ice chest. That 40 pounds of moose meat you ordered online from your meat-of-the-month club? I have no advice for you, other than reevaluate what’s in your main freezer and check out Energy Star’s Recycle My Old Fridge Campaign web site for information on responsible old-fridge disposal.
5. Really turn off your home computer
75% of the energy used by home computers is used when the owner thinks the computer is turned off. “Sleep” does not equal off. Also consider reading about the Smart Strip, which will automatically turn off your computer peripherals whenever the PC is off (works for TV entertainment centers, too). Easy as pie!
6. Weather-strip your doors
It’s important to have a well sealed house in every season. If you want to keep your heat inside the house this year, make sure that your home’s doors have the proper seals. (Bonus: weather stripping is incredibly cheap—we’re talking $1.50 a roll and as easy to apply as a piece of tape.) And of course, make sure all your windows are closed when the heat is on. What are you trying to do, heat the whole neighborhood?
7. Get your water heater checked and adjusted
Schedule an appointment with your plumber (or ask him to stick around the next time he comes to fix something else) and have him check the settings on your water heater. Although many water heaters are set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, most homes only need 120 degrees for appliances like dishwashers to function properly. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that lowering your water temperature by ten degrees will save you 3 to 5% in energy costs (not to mention lower your risk of scalding). Free Money is the best kind!
1. Air-dry your clothing in a sun-lit room
Heaters use the most amount of electricity out of any appliance. Your clothes drier houses one of the most powerful heaters in your home (second only to your HVAC system). Why continue to pay for all that energy? Just hang your clothing in a sun-lit room and let the sun do it’s work, for free!
2. Take shorter showers
Studies show that the average teenager spends a whopping 45 minutes in the shower. 45 minutes! Encourage your kids to cut down on their American Idol practice time, and remind your husband that men who shave in the shower are wasting water, too, to the tune of several gallons. Bottom line: If you’re not actively sudsing or rinsing, turn the water off!
3. Unplug your TV and other unused appliances
It’s probably not news to any of you at this point that all plugged-in electronics constantly suck energy even when they’re “turned off.” But recently, the triple threat of flat screen TVs, cable boxes, and DVR devices have officially overtaken refrigerators as the biggest energy drain in American homes. And, while the fridge at least has an excuse for being plugged in all the time, the TV does not. Plug all those devices into a Smart Strip and it will automatically “unplug” everything for you when you’re not watching.
4. Consider replacing older refrigerators
The good news: every year refrigerators are getting more energy efficient, and it’s hard NOT to buy one with an Energy Star rating these days. The downside is that many people, upon upgrading to a better refrigerator, just move the old one to the garage and keep using it. But consider this: There’s a reason you replaced the old one it was too small, it didn’t work well, it was inefficient—so why would you keep it around? Think long and hard about what exactly you so desperately need to keep in deep-freeze storage. Extra ice for parties? Buy an ice chest. That 40 pounds of moose meat you ordered online from your meat-of-the-month club? I have no advice for you, other than reevaluate what’s in your main freezer and check out Energy Star’s Recycle My Old Fridge Campaign web site for information on responsible old-fridge disposal.
5. Really turn off your home computer
75% of the energy used by home computers is used when the owner thinks the computer is turned off. “Sleep” does not equal off. Also consider reading about the Smart Strip, which will automatically turn off your computer peripherals whenever the PC is off (works for TV entertainment centers, too). Easy as pie!
6. Weather-strip your doors
It’s important to have a well sealed house in every season. If you want to keep your heat inside the house this year, make sure that your home’s doors have the proper seals. (Bonus: weather stripping is incredibly cheap—we’re talking $1.50 a roll and as easy to apply as a piece of tape.) And of course, make sure all your windows are closed when the heat is on. What are you trying to do, heat the whole neighborhood?
7. Get your water heater checked and adjusted
Schedule an appointment with your plumber (or ask him to stick around the next time he comes to fix something else) and have him check the settings on your water heater. Although many water heaters are set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, most homes only need 120 degrees for appliances like dishwashers to function properly. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that lowering your water temperature by ten degrees will save you 3 to 5% in energy costs (not to mention lower your risk of scalding). Free Money is the best kind!