Our homes perform – it is a big part of who we are, The Phoenix Group. Unfortunately many existing homes are somewhat inefficient due to the date they were built, and the technology they employ. All is not lost though – there are things that you can do to get that bill down that don’t include blow-in insulation or replacing the windows. Here are just a few:
Not yet ready to say buh-bye to incandescent bulbs? Then consider that simply dimming a light by 10 percent more than doubles the bulb's life — and switches only cost about $10.
You can reduce your monthly electric expenses — typically by as much as 15 percent, according to a recent IBM study — by knowing how much power you’re actually using and where you can most effectively cut back. Add a plug load monitor ($25 and up) to any outlet where you plug in an appliance or device; the monitor will display how much energy the device is consuming and when, helping you decide which ones should be turned off and at what time. Some models are programmable, to cut power automatically.
Add a Motion Sensor -
Add motion sensor to your outdoor lighting fixtures. One of these little helpers (around $20 each) turns off the light when nobody's present. The gizmos are great for the seldom-used areas of your home, like the basement and guest room.
Set a Programmable Thermostat -
This handy item — widely available for about $50 — can help you save almost $200 a year by turning down the heat at certain times of day or night. For every degree you lower your thermostat for an eight-hour period, you cut energy use by about 1 percent. So, if you set it back 10 degrees overnight, you can save 10 percent.
Buy an Insulating "Blanket" -
Get your hot-water heater its own blankie! This $20 investment can lower your water-heating costs by 9 percent, says the U.S. Department of Energy.
Dodge the Draft -
Here's how: Install permanent weather stripping around your windows and doors to seal in heat and keep out chilly gusts. You can buy about 15 feet of weather stripping for less than $10 — saving you up to 15 percent in heating and cooling costs.
Replace the Aerator on Your Faucet -
For just $5, an efficient aerator will reduce flow from the usual 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm) to a thrifty 1.5 gpm — a big return on a small investment and a good way to conserve an increasingly precious resource.
And Finally: How to Go Green for FREE -
• Wash in cold water and save up to $40 in hot-water costs a year.
• Clean the lint screen to improve your dryer's air circulation and speed up drying time; energy usage will drop.
• Remove window AC units during the colder months, when drafts can sneak in and drive up your heating bill.
• Dust the coils behind your refrigerator. If they're grimy, they won't transfer heat effectively and will use more energy.
• Put your PC to sleep! By not leaving it on at night, you can save at least $25 each year.
• Unplug electronics when not in use, to stop "phantom" energy draw.
