Month: December 2010

5. Install a solar electric or hot water system – using the sun to make electricity or hot water can be a great way to save energy. If you have the right conditions, you can make all of your hot water and most of your electricity by installing a correctly-designed solar electric or hot water system. We have all felt the heat of the sun, even on the coldest winter day; we can use that heat to make hot water. And we can use the sun to make electricity, even when we are not home to use it. And with the federal and state incentives, it makes even more sense now than ever.
6. Don’t let the water run – a lot of us let the water run when we are brushing our teeth or shaving, or when washing dishes. It takes energy to move the water into the house, as well as heat it, so using only what we need will save energy.

3. Swap out your incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescent or LED bulbs – in most cases, using a compact fluorescent light (CFL) instead of an incandescent can save you 50 percent on your electric bill. A typical incandescent uses 60 watts, while a CFL that puts out a similar amount of light consumes only 13 watts. Using light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs can save even more, as a bulb in this class would use only about 5 watts. Of course, you cannot always use CFLs or LEDs where you have incandescents, but use them wherever you can to save energy.
4. Seal your windows and doors – making sure you eliminate drafts can cut down on your heating bill, whether you use oil, gas, propane, wood, or electricity for heating. Plus, you will feel more comfortable when you don’t have that cold draft on your neck

1. Turn off lights – you would be surprised at how much energy is used by lights left on that are not being used, lights on in a room that no one is occupying. One or two lights left on can consume a considerable amount of energy, costing you money.
2. Turn down your water heater temperature – this makes a lot of sense if you have an electric hot water heater, but you can also save money by turning down the temperature of your oil, gas, or propane heater. Reducing the temperature of your tank from 140 degrees to 120 degrees can save a considerable amount of energy.