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last updated January 1, 2008
16 Tips to Save Energy and Money This Winter
By Susan M. Keenan
Saving money is on everyone's minds these days, especially after a holiday season of spending. Even when you think that you have done everything there is to cut back on energy costs, impulse spending, and other expenses, look again just in case you missed something. Lots of handy tips for saving on energy costs are presented below.
- Set the thermostat back as low as you can while allowing the temperature to remain comfortable. In fact, setting it back low enough to allow you to wear a sweater or layer your clothing could save even more money.
- Turn off the computer and monitor whenever you will be away from them for several hours. At the very least, turn off the monitor until you return.
- Lower the hot water heater's thermostat.
- Only use hot water for laundry that merits it. Use cold water for all other loads in order to realize a greater savings on your energy use.
- If you replace any appliances, replace them with one that has a high energy efficiency rating.
- Air dry your dishes rather than using the dishwasher's drying cycle.
- Only run full loads in the dishwasher, washer, and dryer. If the load you have is not large enough, wait until it is.
- Combine dishes to make stews or casseroles. Not only will you be able to save on energy cost, but also, you will save on clean up.
- Double up when using the oven. In other words, prepare a meal that can cook in the oven simultaneously.
- Change your light bulbs to ones that are compact fluorescent bulbs.
- Plug electronic devices that stay in stand by mode even when they are turned off into power strips. Electronic devices in stand by mode use several watts of power. If you turn the power strip off when you are not using the electronic devices, you will save energy.
- Take shorter showers. Take a short shower rather than a bath.
- Turn the water off while you are brushing your teeth or scrubbing your hands.
- If more than one person is watching the same television program, watch it together.
- Purchase motion sensor lighting for the exterior of your home rather than leaving the outside lights on all night long.
- Turn the lights off in any room that will be unoccupied for 15 minutes or more.
Energy costs are rising and wallets are shrinking. It is time to be proactive if you are going to survive the energy crunch. Use the strategies that work for you and keep your eyes open for new ideas in order to realize the best savings.
Here are some more money savings tips.
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