As you know, energy costs continue to rise. But you can do something about it to help ease that ever climbing energy bill. Below are a couple of checklists of tips and some additional information sites that have been proven to reduce energy costs with spending little to no money. See the NRGstore for a place to buy these items at a reduced cost!
Energy Saving Tips
Heating and Cooling:
- Weatherstrip and caulk your windows and doors
- Seal and insulate your home
- Consider installing a Geothermal Heat Pump to heat and cool your home, save up to 70% on your heating and cooling costs.
- Clean your furnace’s filter monthly
- Consider buying an ENERGY STAR furnace or air conditioner, insulating and sealing ducts and relocating heating and air conditioning vents.
- Cover your hot water heater with an insulation blanket
- Consider installing energy efficient windows or storm windows
- Follow the 10-10 Rule. Lowering your thermostat in the winter by 10 percent (like from 74° to 67°) for 8 hours can shave 10 percent off your heating bill. Try it at night and use extra blankets when sleeping.
Saving Water:
Computing Equipment:
Electronics and Home Appliances:
- Turn down the brightness on your TV and computer monitor
- Look for and purchase ENERGY STAR appliances and electronics
- Consider replacing that old, second refrigerator in the basement – This calculator determines how much energy your refrigerator is using
- Plug home electronics into a powerstrip and turn off when not in use. Or unplug appliances that you rarely use – when was the last time you used that VCR?
- Don’t keep your refrigerator and freezer too cold. Set temperature between 36-38 degrees F and freezers at 0-5 degrees.
- Turn off kitchen and bathroom ventilating fans when you’re done. If left on for an hour, they can suck all the heat out of the house not to mention all the unnecessary energy use doing so.
Other Energy-saving Tips:
Government Programs:
