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Energy Conservation Equals Saving Money At HomeThere are many obvious things that you can do at home to conserve energy, such as turning off lights when you're not in a room; however, there also are many actions that you take that may not be so obvious. • Always unplug your mobile phone charger when not in use. You may not realize it, but your charger uses energy even when your mobile telephone is not plugged into it. • Turn off electronics such as computers, monitors and printers when you're not using the equipment. Computer monitors use over half the total energy used to run a computer. • Keep lights and lampshades clean to maximize lighting and minimize the need for light bulbs with more watts. • Install compact flourescent lights (CFL) in high-use areas. These lights last on average 10 times longer and use 75 percent less energy than traditional light bulbs. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 20 percent of your electric bill goes to lighting. By some accounts, a $40 investment in CFLs will save you $60 per year. • Paint walls light colors because dark walls need more powerful light bulbs to create sufficient lighting in a room. • Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. According to experts, this is adequate for most households. • Spend 5 percent to 10 percent more on energy-efficient windows. If your windows are in good shape, don't replace windows just for the sake of energy savings. The cost could take a decade or more to recoup in energy savings; however, if windows need to be replaced (say you purchased an older home), spending about $500 more on energy-efficient models could save $150 a year in energy costs. If the old windows are single pane, double pane windows could cut your heating bill by 30 percent. Energy Conservation Facts • Reduce your thermostat by 4 degrees when you sleep and to save 4 percent. • Reduce the temperature of your water heater by 10 degrees to save 3 to 5 percent on your hot-water costs. • Have your heating and cooling systems serviced every one to two years to cut your bills by 3 to 10 percent. • Install low-flow shower heads, which cost from $50 to $75 each, to save about $30 a year. • Spend $20 to insulate your water heater and you'll save 5 to 10 percent off your hot-water bill. • Wash clothes in cold or warm water, which is all you need for most loads, to save about $60 per year compared to using hot water.
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