How to Reduce Energy Use

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By Wasatch
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Light bulb moment

With energy costs on the rise and pollution and land use issues being a global priority it is important to take what steps we can to reduce our energy consumption.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

HOME APPLIANCES: The biggest energy user in most homes are large appliances. If you have older model washers, dryers, or refrigerators it may be cost effective to replace them just for the energy savings. Energy star ratings and info at many home improvement stores will show annual costs to run large appliances. In our house buying a new energy efficient high efficiency washer and dryer saves us quite a bit. We use less water. The washer uses less detergent and they use a fraction of the energy that our nearly antique pair used.
Step 2

Energy efficient lighting

COMPACT FLORESCENT LIGHT BULBS: You have heard this before but changing to compact florescent light bulbs though your house saves a great percentage of the electricity used and provides the same light as incandescent bulbs. In our bathroom vanity we replaced 4 75 watt bulb with 4 equally bright compact florescent bulbs and they use only 15 watts each. They use only 20% of the power. 80% energy savings.
Step 3

ONLINE BILLING: Sign up for online bill paying and online invoicing for recurring bills. The cost savings may only be postage (and time) but the paper saved saves trees and printing and transportation energy costs. This article is about energy consumption. Not all energy saving is dollar saving but online bill paying is a basically money neutral step that saves energy. Go paperless email when you can in communication as well.
Step 4

PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT: A programmable thermostat costs about $35.00. They are very easy to install. You can program them to keep the winter temperature low at night, turn on the heat a bit 1/2 hour before you get up, and keep it a bit lower when you are away. In the summer you can do the opposite with the air conditioner if you have central air. You can even program different times for different days or weekend schedules. On the same subject keep the temperature a few degrees cooler in the winter and a few degrees warmer in the summer is a great energy saver as well. Each degree different has been said to make 3% difference on your utility bill.
Step 5

Shade Tree saves Energy

COMPUTERS: Turn off a computer if you are away for more than a few hours. Set your computer to go into sleep mode if left alone for awhile.
Step 6

Energy efficient electric car

Plant Trees: Plant good shade trees where they will shade your home in the summer. The energy savings can be tremendous. Insulate well and install energy efficient window and use window shades in the summer
Step 7

CAR FUEL: Away from home choose cars that use less fuel. Develop driving habits for the best millage. keep your car tuned up and your tire pressure at the right level. Bike or take mass transit when you can for even greater energy savings.
Step 8

WATER SAVINGS: Lower the temperature a bit on your hot water heater. I have lived in homes with instant on hot water heaters or on demand hot water that do not have a tank. They are more common in Europe but are becoming very cost effective in the U.S. as well. Install energy efficient low flow shower heads. They cost under $20.00 and save water as well as energy that heats the water.
Step 9

Recycle: Recycling saves energy. Recycling cans and other metals will actually earn you cash. I have heard the energy to mine and produce an aluminum can is the amount of the can full of gas. Recycle anything and everything for big energy savings and sometimes financial benefit as well.