Bill. One of the nastiest four letter words all homeowners dread. Our lifestyles are filled with technology, costing us money and energy. Below, are a few helpful tips on how to reduce the amount of energy you use at home, up to 50% or more. Before you know it, that four letter word will carry a little less punch.
1. Turn it off. There’s more to it than just turning off the lights when you leave the room. With all of the advances in technology, we are constantly plugged in. It is important to remember that all of your fancy gadgets are sucking energy from your house and your wallets. Make sure to power off all your electronics and appliances when they aren’t in use.
2. Use shades, blinds and drapes. Not only are window treatments fashionable, they serve a purpose too! Close them during the summer to keep the hot sun’s rays out and keep your house cool. Keep them open when winter rolls around to let in the sun and create a nice warm spot.
3. Pay attention to your washer and dryer. Switching to cold water washes can save you up to $63 a year! For your dryer, make sure to clean out the lint filter after each load to dry your clothes faster. Using a sensor dryer can help cut costs as well.
4. Clean or replace A/C filters. Filters that are old and dusty can reduce the amount of air flow in your house. This makes the A/C over extend itself to keep your house cool. Keep track of how long your filters have been in place and you could save on cooling costs.
5. Use energy efficient light bulbs. There are so many new options out there for light bulbs such as halogen incandescent, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). They typically use anywhere form 25%-80% less energy. What a bright idea!
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