Common Eco Sense

These energy saving tips will not only save you money on your electric bill they also are easy to implement and cost you nothing or very little. These may seem like common sense energy saving tips. If you take a hard look around your home and do a quick assessment you will probably find there are a few of these cost saving items you can do yourself to improve your energy costs.

Use Your Windows to Keep Out Heat and Gain Cool Air

• On cool nights open your windows and turn off your air conditioning while you sleep. When you wake in the morning close your windows and your window treatments to retain this cool air.
• Installing window treatments blocks the sun from heating up your rooms. In our house this is a huge help in the kitchen where we have a southern facing sliding glass door. closing the drapes lowers the kitchen temperature by 10 degrees.

Use your thermostat wisely

• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
• Turn your thermostat higher when you are not home. When you are home set your temperature to 78 degrees. Another great option is a programmable thermostat.
• Do not set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

Use ceiling fans to cool your home

• Using a ceiling fan in conjunction your are conditioning while allow you to set your thermostat 4 degrees higher than with out it.
• Ceiling fans don’t cool rooms the cool people so turn it off when you are not in the room.
• Consider an Energy Star rated ceiling fan

Maintain your Air Conditioners efficiency

• Schedule regular maintenance for your cooling equipment.
• Keep Lamps, Televisions and other appliances away from your thermostat. it will sense the heat form your appliances which can cause your air conditioner to run longer.
• Keep  furniture and other object from blocking you registers that can restrict air flow. Vacuum registers regularly to remove any dust buildup.

Appliances and Lighting are heating your home

• On hot days, avoid using the oven; cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or grill outside.
• Install efficient lighting that runs cooler such as Compact Florescent Bulbs. Only about 10%–15% of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light—the rest is turned into heat.
• Take advantage of daylight instead of artificial lighting, but avoid direct sunlight.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Consider air drying both dishes and clothing.
• Taking Short Showers instead of baths. This will reduce the humidity in your house and will feel cooler.
• On hotter days avoid activities during the day that generate heat, such as running a dishwasher or burning an open flame.

Keep the Hot Air Out of your House

• Seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.
• Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.

With these simple tips you could save a significant amount of energy and add it to your bottom line.

Please submit your energy saving tips.

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