I recently got a mailer from Power Tomorrow, a program that encourages a “greater energy-efficient commitment in our lives.” It broke down energy use by category:
The mailer also included some great energy savings tips. I’ve highlighted the easy ones here and added some additional ones:
- Lower your thermostat at night and when you aren’t home.
- Use a programmable thermostat to do the above automatically.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
- Turn off the TV and lights when not in use.
- Wash laundry in cold water.
- Buy Energy Star appliances.
- Use the air-dry setting on the dishwasher.
- Switch providers if you live in a state that allows competition between energy companies.
- To determine which appliances are the biggest energy users, check out a portable energy meter from the library.
- Save money on the largest category by trimming heating costs.
Extra Credit
If you made approved energy efficient changes last year, be sure to claim the energy tax credit on your 2007 taxes.
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Thanks for the tips. I can really use them this year. My energy bills have been skyrocketing ever since the baby was born, my wife stay at home, and her parents come to live with us. I guess I shouldn’t complain since energy cost per person actually went down significantly now that there are 8 people in the house instead of 5.
PinyoJanuary 14th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Great tips. I try to do as many of these as I can. Our energy bills are generally not very high - which I like!
Thanks for the mention.
PatrickJanuary 14th, 2008 at 9:56 am
How lucky we are in Malaysia.
The 40% part of space heating is something we don’t have to worry about. Ours is an equatorial climate so we have seasons of rain and no rain.
fathersezJanuary 14th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
@ Pinyo: Cost per person is an interesting way to look at it.
@ Patrick: Good to hear your energy bills are low, I need to work on ours!
@Father Sez: That sounds wonderful right now… as I look out the window at 3 foot snowbanks!
January 15th, 2008 at 3:14 pm