How to Save on Your Energy Bill

Saving on Your Energy Bill: Getting Started

Figure 1: Look for this logo when buying appliances

1. The most thorough energy efficiency resource on the Internet is the home page for the U.S. Department of Energy and its affiliated Energy Star program. These pages provide a great deal of general information about minor home improvement projects that can shave off a significant portion of your monthly energy expenditures.
2. The majority of the steps you'll need to take to get the most out of your energy dollar are simple and straight-forward. It may be a chore to clean behind your fridge once every three months, but it will save you money. And it's not bad for the planet either.
3. This Home Energy Checklist from Popular Mechanics lays out many of the basic procedures discussed on this page, and is a great resource for basic information and practical tips.
4. The EPA offers this (rather unfortunately titled) Personal Emissions Calculator that can give you an idea of how much energy you're using and how you can bring this number down.

Simple Steps Around the Home

• Figure 2: HowStuffWorks' Guide to Air Conditioner Maintenance

Air Conditioning

1. Use fans when possible instead of AC.
   • A few carefully placed fans can create a cross-breeze that will cool down a room quickly.
2. Close your curtains and shades at night; open them during the day.
3. Make sure the "fresh air" vent on the air conditioner is closed so you are not cooling outside air.
4. Clean leaves and debris from the unit and clean the filter often.
5. Read HowStuffWorks' Guide to Maintaining Your Air Conditioner.

Dishwasher

1. Load dishes in their proper locations to ensure maximum cleaning efficiency.
   • Martha Stewart has written a helpful guide to "Dishwasher Strategy."
2. Set to 120 degrees or the "low" setting.
3. Scrape, don't rinse, dishes before loading the dishwasher.
4. Only wash full loads and use the shortest wash cycle.
5. Avoid using the "rinse hold" setting on your dishwasher.
   • This wasteful cycle uses up 3-7 gallons of water.
6. Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
7. Keep the drain unclogged and clean.

• Boscov's: Whirlpool Energy Star® Dishwasher (Sponsored)

Heating System

1. Try to leave your thermostat as low as possible while keeping comfortable.
   • A sweatshirt or an extra blanket at night can keep you warm for free!
2. Keep your basement, attic and garage doors closed to keep in heat.
3. A ceiling fan kept at low speed will spread heat evenly around the room.
4. Keep furniture away from heat registers and AC ducts.

   Figure 3: Space heaters are a great money-saving option for enclosed areas

5. Keep the temperature in the bathrooms cooler than the rest of your house by keeping the doors closed.
   • Use space heaters when taking a shower on cold mornings.
6. A programmable thermostat helps you automatically regulate your energy usage.
   • 68 degrees when you're home.
   • 65 when you're away briefly.
   • 58 when you're gone more than five hours.
7. Insulated drapes or quilted curtains keep more heat inside your home.
8. Close the chimney flue and seal unused fireplaces.
9. Bleed trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season.

Home Electronics

• Figure 4: Remember to unplug dormant appliances!

1. Turn off your TV, VCR and DVD player when they're not in use.
2. When an appliance isn't being used, make sure it is turned completely off.
   • Unplug it if necessary.
   • 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.
3. Turn off your coffee machine after the second cup of coffee.
   • Store any remaining cups in an insulated container to keep them warm.

Computers

1. First, make sure that your computer is set to enter sleep after a few minutes of non-use.
   • Consumer Reports estimates that you can save 80% off your computer's electrical use through this small step.
2. Read this post at Daily Cup of Tech detailing a variety of techniques for cutting down your network power consumption.

Laundry

1. Presoak or use the soak cycle when washing heavily soiled garments.
2. Wash and rinse clothes in cold water.
3. Wait until you have a full load to do a wash.
4. Be stingy with the detergent.
   • Too much detergent forces the machine to work harder.
5. On sunny days, hang clothes outside to dry.
6. Don't overload the dryer.
7. Clean the dryer's lint trap after each load.
8. Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
9. Dry two or more loads in a row, to take advantage of the dryer's retained heat.

Pools and Spas

1. Use a solar cover to naturally keep your pool warm.
2. Clean the filters often.

• Shop.com: BlueBlack Solar Cover 15 Mil (Sponsored)

Refrigerator and Freezer

1. Avoid repeatedly opening the fridge just to look around.

   Figure 5: If the coils are in the back or difficult to reach, you can pull out the fridge from the wall a bit, then vacuum them using an attachment.

2. Set the thermometer for 38 degrees on the fridge and 0-5 degrees on the freezer.
3. Let hot foods cool before putting them in the fridge.
4. Don't overstuff the freezer.
5. Clean the coils that cool your refrigerator regularly.
   • You can save yourself some effort by investing in a refrigerator coil brush.

• Amazon: Refrigerator Coil Cleaning Brush (Sponsored)

Stove and Oven

1. When cooking, keep the lids on pots.
2. Cook with a full oven.
   • Prepare dishes together when possible.
3. Thaw foods before cooking.
4. Keep your stove's reflector pans shiny to maximize efficiency.
   • If the flames on your stovetop are yellow, it needs to be cleaned.
5. Don't open the oven door while cooking; instead, look through the window.
6. Crockpots, toaster ovens, frying pans and pressure cookers all use less energy than an electric stove.
7. Only boil as much water as you're going to need.
8. Using a small pan on a large burner wastes energy.
   • Choose a stove range with multiple burner sizes.

Water Heater

1. Use cold water instead of hot whenever possible.
   • Keep the water off while you shave, brush your teeth, etc.
2. Set the heater's temperature at 120 degrees.
3. Take showers instead of baths.
   • Installing a low-flow shower head will help you use less hot water.
4. Put an insulating blanket around the water heater.
5. Fix dripping faucets quickly.
   • A dripping hot water faucet wastes 212 gallons a month!
   • Take a look at the Department of the Interior's Drip Accumulator to get an idea of how much water you may be wasting.

• Amazon: Water Heater Blankets (Partner)

Cutting Back on Lighting Costs

No Cost

1. Open blinds and shades.

   Figure 6: Switching to fluorescents would trim the world's electricity bill by nearly one-tenth.

2. Fluorescent bulbs use 1/4 the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs and last six times longer.
   • Check out this Fast Company article for more information about the coming fluorescent bulb revolution.
3. Disconnect or remove lamps in multiple lamp fixtures.
4. Putting a lamp in the corner gives off more light than the center of a room.
5. Place security lights on a timer.
6. Use "task lighting."
   • Direct light to the areas in a room where it's needed rather than keeping the entire room bright.

Low Cost

1. Check the "lumens" setting when buying a new bulb.
   • The higher the lumens, the brighter the bulb.
2. Install dimmer switches on lights when possible.
   • Most fluorescent lights unfortunately can't use dimmer switches.
3. Use three-setting bulbs when possible.

More Expensive Improvements

1. Painting your walls light colors keeps your whole house or apartment brighter.

Significant Home Improvements

• Consider performing a home energy audit.
  • The U.S. Department of Energy has a handy step-by-step guide.

• Figure 7: Everything you need to know to audit your home consumption, from the U.S. Department of Energy

  • Energy Star offers a professional energy audit service in certain areas.

Heating System

1. Have your furnace inspected and cleaned once a year.
2. Have your heating system professionally tuned at the start of the cold season.

Insulation

1. This guide from Home Depot will give you an idea about some of the home improvement projects that will better seal and insulate your home.
2. Seal your home's envelope.
   • This includes walls, floors, ceilings and the roof.
     • Seal cracks in the basement floor to keep heat in.
     • Weather-strip around windows and doors.
     • Insulating pipes can keep hot water hot, allowing you to lower the temperature on your water heater.
3. Double-pane or triple-pane windows cut heat loss.
   • Select windows with air leakage ratings of 0.3 cubic feet per minute or less.
   • Apply sun-control or other reflective films on south-facing windows to reduce solar gain.
   • Most homes should have 6-7 inches of attic insulation minimum.
4. The most efficient way to insulate a home is to start in the attic.

Figure 8: Without attic insulation, your home loses 40% of its heat through the roof

Stoves and Ovens

1. Using a small pan on a large burner wastes energy.
   • Choose a stove range with multiple burner sizes.

Energy-Efficient Appliances

• This guide from the U.S. Department of Energy can help you decide whether or not to invest in a more energy-efficient appliance.

• Check for products bearing the Energy Star logo, which have been determined by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to increase efficiency and save money.

Air Conditioning

1. Buy an air conditioner with a high Energy Efficiency Rating (EER).

   Figure 9: Attic Fan illustration by George Retseck from ''Popular Mechanics''

   • Rating should be 13 or higher on central systems.
   • An air conditioner generally needs 20 BTU for every square foot of living space.
2. Install your air conditioner in a shady place.
3. Install an attic fan.
   • Hot air trapped in the attic can make your whole house warmer.
4. Consider installing a whole-house evaporative cooler.
   • Same results, with 75% less energy used than an air conditioner.

• Cooking.com: Haier Energy Star Window Air Conditioner (Sponsored)

Refrigerators and Freezers

1. Old refrigerators are less efficient; consider an upgrade, if possible.
2. Make sure the door seal is tight, so cold air can't escape.

Washer/Dryers

1. Take a look at eHow's Guide to Choosing a Dryer and this overview from The California Energy Commission.
2. Gas clothes dryers are more efficient but more difficult to install.
3. Look for a dryer with a cool-down period, or "perma-press," cycle.
   • These employ cool air at the end of the cycle rather than hot.
4. Look for a dryer with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off the machine when your clothes are dry.
5. Choose a clothes washer with a "mini-basket," allowing you to do very small loads without wasting water and power.
6. Place your dryer in a warm space for maximum efficiency.
7. Make sure your dryer is vented properly.

• AjMadison: Speed Queen Stacked Electric Washer/Dryer ENERGY STAR (Sponsored)

Windbreaks and Landscaping

1. Carefully placed landscaping can provide wind protection, reducing heating costs.
2. Trees that lose their leaves in the fall give protection from the summer sun and permit winter sunlight to reach and warm your home.
3. Install awnings on south and west-facing windows to keep your home cooler.
4. The U.S. Department of Energy has a useful guide to landscaping strategies for various temperatures and climates.

Budget Plans and Rate Decreases

• Many energy companies offer discount programs, those making an effort to conserve energy or those who lack the financial resources to pay full price.
• Get Energy Active has a lot of information about local programs that may be available in your city.

  Figure 10: Get Energy Active's site is a useful resource for savings ideas and tips.

  • For example, Southern California Edison offers the CARE Program, providing a 20% discount for income-qualified customers.
  • Sempra Energy offers a variety of Assistance Services for customers.

1. Check out the website for your local utility.
   • Most will discuss their money-saving programs openly on the front page.
   • Often, this section will be indicated by the phrase "Help for Qualified Customers," "Energy Assistance Program" or "Alternate Rates".
2. Typically, these programs will take the form of rebates or financial aid.
3. Some programs may require proof of income or home inspection.
   • Be sure to find out what the requirements and qualifications are before enrolling in the program.
4. Failure to pay energy bills in a timely fashion will frequently void discount programs or other special arrangements.

Alternative Energy Sources

Homemade Green Power

1. MAKE blog's collection of Green How-To's is perhaps the Web's best resource for environmentally-conscious DIY projects.
2. TreeHugger's How to Go Green series provides excellent advice for cutting down your energy consumption around the home, with a focus on environmentaly-conscious improvements
3. Your Green Dream offers instructions for a variety of solar, hydro, wind, tidal and geothermal projects you can try at home.
4. This BBC article lays out some more of your DIY power generation options.

Solar Water Heater

1. Consider investing in a solar heater if you live in a warm climate
   • Solar water heaters gather their energy from the sun, and can then store heated water for later use
2. Before purchasing a solar water heater, you should estimate its annual operating cost and compare it to your current energy bill
   • Use the Department of Energy guidelines to performing this calculation
3. Determine the most efficient sized heater
   • A 50-60 gallon tank is sufficient for one or two people
4. Check the local building codes and regulations regarded solar energy systems
   • It's likely that you'll need to get a permit before beginning
5. It's generally a good idea, unless you already have some experience, to get a professional contractor to install your water heater
   • Make sure the company is licensed and certified

Guides to Energy Saving in the Home and Additional Resources

Figure 11: Lots of great DIY suggestions from Lifehacker

• Lifehacker's Energy Conservation category collects all of their blog posts on the subject on one page.
• Flex Your Power's Residential Energy Saving Tips
• California Energy Commission: Energy Choices in the Home
• ConsumerReports.org: 20 free ways to save energy (2006)
• PowerHouseTV.com: Saving Energy: 101 Ways to Save
• Popular Mechanics: Your Energy Footprint
• Listphile: Earth Friendly Tips for the Home
• MichaelBluejay.com: Saving Electricity 101
• Bob Vila's Home Remodeling Blog: Energy Efficiency category
• Blackle: Energy Saving Search Engine
  • A 2007 blog post estimated that a dark Google would save 750 Megawatt-hours a year because it takes more wattage to power a white page than a black one.

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