How to Slash Your Electric Bill Costs
Saving Money on Power Bills
By DomesticTechnicians.com
Spending lots to save pennies makes very little sense, but if you're already in
the market for a new appliance, consider the Web as your first line of
defense in energy savings.
Perhaps you werent so aware of how much power you were using until that glaring electric bill landed in
your mailbox. It's time to become mindful of the green in your wallet and
save energy at the same time.
Start by simply unplugging unused appliances, lowering the temperature on
your electric water heater to 120 degrees F, and washing only full loads of
dishes and air drying them.
At the same time take a look at the free online calculators to get customized
tips for improving your home's energy efficiency at Home Energy Saver, a
Web site sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and
the Department of Energy (DOE).
Spending hundreds to save pennies generally doesn't make sense, but if
you're already in the market for a new appliance, or even light bulbs,
consider the Web your first energy savings tool.
Climate Control
A typical household uses the bulk of its energy for heating and cooling, up to
44% of your utility bill, according to the DOE's Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy Network (EREN).
Install a Programmable Thermostat
This can reduce energy wasted while
heating or cooling a house when no one is home or everyone's asleep.
According to the Home Energy Saver site, Energy Star programmable
thermostats can save as much as 20% to 30% on your heating or cooling
costs by allowing for multiple daily settings and automatically adjusting when
the outside temperature changes. Participating manufacturers include
Honeywell, Hunter Fan and Smart Systems International. Unfortunately, it's
not easy to search for programmable thermostats by Energy Star status.
Instead, keep an eye out for those with features typical of the Energy Star
thermostats: temperature recovery systems, two programs and four
temperature settings.
Ceiling Fans
When you move the air, you tend to feel cooler. This allows for higher
summertime thermostat settings. According to EREN, the effect is equivalent
to lowering the air temperature by about 4 degrees F (2 degrees C), and using less energy
than air conditioners in doing so.
Lighting, Cooking and Other Appliances
The next biggest household energy use after climate control is for lighting,
cooking and other appliances. Not counting the fridge, these make up about
33% of a typical utility bill.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
CFLs will use up to 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and
will last up to 10 times longer, according to Home Energy Saver. This is very
good, because they're also more expensive to start with.
Check Your Local Utility For Ideas
Look for a free Conservation Kit,
containing among other things, two CFLs. This, of course, is a terrific deal!
Energy Efficient Appliances
Use the Energy Star site as a starting point to search for Maytag washing
machines. Look for the
Maytag Atlantis MAV high efficiency models
starting at about $500 to get the most energy savings.
Among household appliances, the refrigerator is likely your biggest energy
consumer, especially if it's more than 15 years old. It can account for up to
9% of your energy costs alone. Again, look to the Energy Star site for a list
of energy efficient models if you're looking to replace yours.
Hot Water Heating
Heating water is the third biggest home energy cost and typically accounts
for 14% to 20% of your total energy bill.
Hot Water Jackets
Hot water jackets usually sell for $10 to $20, and shipping charges for buying
them online can easily increase their cost by 50% or more. Use the Web to
find offline deals in this case.
Aerating, Low Flow Faucets and Showerheads
Both Niagara and AM Conservation models popped up on a variety of
environmental sites, including Energy Guide, which also had the best price for
the four way adjustable Niagara showerhead at $6.75. The nice thing about
ordering from Energy Guide is that it automatically searches for any rebates
based on the zipcode you enter.
When you're considering buying a new home, you can plan for energy
savings from the ground up with an energy efficient homebuilding project.
Check the DOE's Building America and the EPA sites to find projects near
you.
