Cut your energy bill in half

I’ll start by saying that using the most energy efficient appliances is worth the investment. In many cases, not only will you see an instant reduction in your energy bill, but you may also be awarded a tax credit or government incentive. Reduce the costs associated with updating.

The main items sucking your money out the window are obviously your major appliances. Number one on that list is your hot water tank! This device is really obsolete in my opinion. Honestly, do you really need to keep 40 gallons or more of hot water 7 days a week, 24 hours a day? The way forward is with the new on-demand systems that only work when requested. This change alone will reduce the wattage of that appliance by 20% or more, depending on your habits.

Second on my list is your washer and dryer. Now, as far as technology goes, these two haven’t really gotten that far with power consumption. Yes, if your units are ten years old or older, it’s probably a good idea to trade them in for a modern set. What I believe to be the contributing force to excessive energy use is the method in which we use them. First of all, using hot water to do laundry is a double whammy. Now I know that some things need to be washed in hot water for best results, but not everything. Try changing the setting to cold for a month and let me know if you see a big difference in the cleanliness of your clothes. When using the dryer, my recommendation is to set up a line of cloths. Yes! You heard right! Try for a month to air dry 50% of the loads you’d normally throw at this power draining monster. If you do this for a month, you’ll see another 20% reduction or more for these two devices. Also remember not to run to lean from a load. What I mean is to separate your items and only wash them when you have the maximum capacity. Do not overdo filling the machines. That will only lead to premature replacements or repairs.

The third items to discuss are the refrigerator and stove. These items depend on your condition. So yes, if they are over 5 years old, I would recommend replacing them with a modern set. Especially the fridge! Make sure that the seals close completely and that there is no excessive accumulation of dust under the machine that adheres to the vital components that keep it running smoothly. Also place your own thermometer inside the unit in various places to determine what the temperature is. Be careful not to over-pack the interior so as not to restrict natural airflow for cooling. If you have items that freeze at the bottom and drinks are not cold enough on top. So something is obviously wrong. Same with the stove, if your house turns into a hotbox every time you turn it on it may be time to replace it. Having a properly working refrigerator and stove will save another 20% or more on your energy bill.

Surely you have heard of energy saving light bulbs. Well they do work! My suggestion is to start replacing all the light bulbs in the house starting with the ones that get the most use. Look for deals at local hardware stores when you buy one get one free. Your typical 60 watt light bulb can be reduced to 14 watts or less of power consumption. I call that saving money in the bank! Yes, you can save another 20% or more.

Finally, I’d like to let you know that just because you turn it off doesn’t mean it’s not consuming power. Computers and electronics can drain your usage more than you think. To stop this constant dripping effect, put your items on a switch. Just plug your device into a unit that has a timer if possible but ultimately something that will turn them off completely! So a little click makes sure nothing is getting power. Also, your cable box may be a contributing factor to unnecessary power consumption. Make sure it’s turned off when not in use!