Looking to cut back due to a tight budget or ready to go green? Here are 10 quick and easy tips to accomplish both:
- Unplug appliances and electronics. TVs, computers and kitchen appliances, as well as cell phone and laptop chargers, digital pianos all use energy when they are plugged in—even if they are turned off.
- Use power strips. “Smart” power strips automatically turn off when electronics are off or when one main unit (like your personal computer) is powered down.
- Turn off lights. When you’re not in the room or not in the house, there’s no need for all the lights to be on.
- Clean and replace furnace or air conditioner filters. Dirty filters block air flow, increase energy bills and shorten equipment life.
- In the warmer months, keep the shades and blinds down on south-, east- and west-facing windows. In the colder months, open them up and let the sun in.
- Activate “sleep” features on your computer and office equipment. When they go unused for a long period of time, they power down.
- Lower the thermostat. Wear a sweater around the house and put an extra blanket on the bed at night.
- Use fans instead of air conditioning when possible or combine their use to turn down the air temperature a bit.
- Close vents and doors to unused rooms.
- Wash your laundry with cold water. It’s just as effective.
Check with the Alliance to Save Energy at www.ase.org for more energy- and money-saving tips or to subscribe to their free online newsletter.
