Say goodbye to high electric bills. These tips will help you increase your home efficiency for year-round savings.
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Get an Energy Audit
Many utility companies offer a free home energy audit to customers, and it is well worth taking advantage of. If there is no such program in your area, conduct your own energy audit instead. It will clue you into areas where you could trim your energy use.
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Install Ceiling Fans
Keep the air circulating in your home with ceiling fans so your air conditioner does not have to work as hard.
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Line Dry Your Laundry
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Set up a clothesline in your backyard, and let Mother Nature dry your laundry. If this is not an option, consider hanging clothes on a drying rack or shower rod. If you do not like line-drying due to the way the clothes feel, learn how to keep line-dried clothes from getting stiff.
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Eliminate Phantom Loads
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A shocking 75 percent of the energy used by home electronics is consumed when they are turned off. Phantom loads of electric usage come from televisions, stereos, computers, and many kitchen appliances—basically anything that holds a time or other settings. A simple solution is to plug all of these items into power strips and get in the habit of turning off the strips between uses.
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Shield Your Home From the Sun
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Cut down on your air conditioning use by closing curtains and blinds on the sunny side of your home. For even more savings, consider installing tinted window film.
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Landscape for Shade
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Plant trees to shade your home, and your air conditioning will not have to work as hard.
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Lower the Temperature on Your Hot Water Heater
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Thirteen percent of your home's electricity goes to heating water. You can lower this percentage, by setting your hot water heater to 130 to 140 degrees. For even more savings, install an insulation jacket, and insulate the first six feet of piping that comes off of your heater. Learn more ways to save on your water heating bill.
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Take Advantage of Off-Peak Rates
Does your town offer cheaper electric rates during off-peak hours? If so, this is a great time to wash laundry, heat water, and run the dishwasher. If you are interested in switching electric companies, learn how.
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Upgrade to Energy Star Appliances
If your appliances are 10 years old or older, consider replacing them with new, Energy Star models, which use considerably less energy.
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Get a Programmable Thermostat
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Set a programmable thermostat to run less when you are at work and when you are sleeping.
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Pile on the Blankets
An extra blanket on your bed in the winter months is often all it takes to push back the thermostat another couple degrees and cut your heating costs.
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Clean Your Dryer Lint Trap
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Remove the dryer lint from your dryer's trap after each load to maximize the machine's efficiency. Then, scrub it down with soapy water and a brush once every couple months to remove any additional lint trapped in the screen.
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Use Dryer Balls
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Toss dryer balls into the dryer with your clothes to speed drying time.
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Install a Tankless Hot Water Heater
The next time you need to replace your hot water heater, consider going with a tankless hot water heater (also known as an on-demand hot water heater). They can cut your hot water energy cost by half.
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Turn Your Stove and Oven Off Early
Turn the stove or oven off a few minutes before your food is done and let the built-up heat finish the job for you.
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Install a Water Heater Timer
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Traditional hot water heaters heat water throughout the day—whether you need it or not. Install a water heater timer, and set yours to run just when you need it. How much will this save? Expect to see a 5 to 12 percent reduction in your hot water heater's energy costs.
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Replace Regular Night Lights With LED
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LED night lights cost less than 25 cents a year to run and are guaranteed to last a lifetime.
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Keep Your Second Refrigerator in the Basement, Not the Garage
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The extreme temperatures in your garage—hot in the summer and cold in the winter—will cause your refrigerator to work harder; so if you have a choice, place your second refrigerator (or freezer) in the basement, where the temperature is more constant.
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Remove Sediment From Your Hot Water Heater
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Sediment buildup in your hot water heater can reduce the efficiency of the heating elements. Use the valve on the side of your hot water heater to drain the sediment twice yearly.
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Ensure Your Home Is Properly Insulated
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The U.S. Department of Energy has an online tool that can help you determine if you have enough insulation based on the region where you live.
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