-Unplugging your electronics such as your cell phone charger can eliminate 5 to 10 percent of your electric bill!
-Shut down your computer when you are not using it. Set your computer to enter sleep mode automatically after thirty minutes of inactivity.
-Lower the setting on your hot water heater to from 140 to 120 (the minimum to guard against bacteria) and you can save six to ten percent in energy costs according to the EPA.
-Treat your furnace and air conditioning units to regular makeovers. Change the filters once a month and give them an annual service call. The dirt and gunk in the air filters makes the systems work harder and there fore adds to your heating and cooling bills!
-Installing a high performance shower head can not only transform your shower into a spa bu it also uses 1.5 gallons of water per minute as opposed to 2.5 gallons used by an older model! A family of four could save $135 a year on your electricity costs according to the Department of Energy/
-Use Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs and you could save $30 per bulb over it's lifetime which averages 416 days. That will add up if you change all of your bulbs!
If you want to put your home to the test you can visit www.energystar.gov and go to the Home Advisor. After you take the test, the website will give you a customized list of things that you can do to save energy. You can also hire an energy auditor to come thru your home and give you a very thorough investigation.
There are many tax incentive and rebate programs for energy saving home improvements. Check out your states programs at www.aceee.org/energy/state.
Let me know what you are doing to save energy at your home!
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