How To Save Energy And Slash Energy Costs

How To Save Energy And Slash Energy Costs

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There are plenty of methods to help you save energy and cut your energy bills at the same time. Many people believe you have to spend a ton of money on high cost energy saving appliances to cut your energy bill and save more energy in your home, however, that is just not the case. If you cannot afford to switch to more energy efficient appliances you can still save a great deal of money by making a few simple changes that will not break your budget and will improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce your energy bill, saving you not only energy but money too. Making small changes in your home and your everyday life can add up to make a big difference in your energy use and the amount you pay for energy every month.

First, you will need to properly weatherize your home, meaning you need to make improvements to protect against the weather. Having your home properly insulated is a big factor in reducing energy consumption. If your home is not properly insulated or requires more insulation you may want to stop at your local hardware store to pick up some and install it under your floors, in your attic and behind walls. Insulation helps keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer, so it is very important to home energy. It is also an easy way to help you save money on heating and cooling costs. Take inventory of how many windows you have that you would like to replace. If you have any holes, cracks, or draft areas where air may be escaping or coming into your house you should seal the openings immediately. You can seal cracks around doors and windows with weather stripping and you can fill all other cracks or holes with inexpensive spray foam from your local hardware store. Weather stripping and spray foam are both inexpensive items that can be found at any hardware store and even at other retail stores throughout the U.S.

Some other great tips on how to save energy include very simple things like remembering to keep all doors and windows closed so no energy is lost due to it escaping out an open door or window. It is also recommended to keep your thermostat set at one temperature consistently. Continuously turning the temperature up or down on a thermostat will waste your energy and cost more. Choose a comfortable temperature for both summer and winter months, for example 69 degrees will most likely be a comfortable temperature for both the winter (when it's much colder outside) and summer (when it's much warmer outside). Moving your thermostat's temperature to extreme temperatures will make it work harder and thus use more energy, so set the temperature and forget it. If you're cold inside the house during the winter months, instead of turning the temperature up opt for covering up under a blanket or potentially even purchasing an electric blanket and set it on low. Just remember to unplug an electric blanket when not using it so you don't waste any electricity.

Another great idea to save money on energy and reduce your energy bills is to switch out all your old light bulbs for energy efficient light bulbs that use much less energy and provide the same amount of lighting. Energy efficient light bulbs aren't much more expensive than the older light bulbs and will last a lot longer and save you more money on energy. Look for sales on the light bulbs and stock up on them when there's a sale. You can even get coupons for energy saving light bulbs and find them at various retailers. Speaking of lighting, it is also a good idea to turn lights off when you leave a room. You should also turn off all electronics that you are not using. If you are cold inside the house in the winter months, instead of turning the temperature up opt for covering up under a blanket or potentially even purchasing an electric blanket and set it on low.

Replacing your windows can also make a big difference in energy costs. Buying replacement windows doesn't have to cost a lot and you can recoup the cost you invested from the savings you will get from having more energy efficient windows that will keep the cost of energy use down. Assess your current windows to see if they need to be replaced. Many older homes have older windows that could be causing you to lose energy. Leaving appliances on at all the time wastes energy and money. If you cannot afford to purchase new replacement windows for every window in your house, buy them one or two at a time as you can save up the money and afford to buy them. Check with your local hardware store to see if they offer a class or manual on how to install windows and check into installing the windows yourself. If you have the know how to install windows yourself then you don't have to pay for someone else to install them in your house. You will save a large amount of energy and money if you can install windows by yourself or with the help of someone else.

If you are interested in purchasing replacement windows, and need them installed, you can try a replacement window specialist to save both money and time. Try to find a company who sizes the windows in the factory instead of onsite. This, of course, saves installation time, materials (like replacing siding, etc) and money.

About the Author:
Mike Little is a 20 year veteran writer turned consumer advocate. He contributes regularly to http://www.ConsumerConsumer.org, a consumer blog. The Consumer Consumer blog helps anyone find the best values. He wishes to thank FRW for their help explaining the differences in replacement doors and windows. Stop by anytime for consumer tips and advice.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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