With gas and electricity prices at an all-time high in 2008, it’s impossible to ignore the steep increase in your utility bills. More than ever, the government is looking for ways to help consumers reduce their energy bills. While cranking up the AC on a hot, steamy summer afternoon is almost an afterthought, the inevitable bill in the mail won’t be. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman says, “Almost 45 percent of a homeowner’s utility bill is for heating and cooling. By taking a few simple steps, families can make their homes more energy efficient and save a significant amount of money too.”
The Department of Energy’s website claims that if consumers properly maintain or upgrade their air conditioner, add insulation, and take on other energy-saving measures, they can cut their energy bills by 10 to 50 percent. Here are a few simple ways to do it:
“Almost 45 percent of a homeowner’s utility bill is for heating and cooling."
- Upgrade for efficiency. If you’re in the market for new appliances, choose the most energy-efficient models you can afford. Your wallet will thank you later.
- Invest in insulation. Insulation doesn’t just keep you warm in the winter; it also keeps you cool in the summer. When your home is properly insulated, the hot air stays outside and the cool air in!
- Get made in the shade. Use curtains and blinds to block the sun from heating up the inside of your home. You’ll be a whole lot cooler.
- Limit AC or don’t turn it on at all. If there’s a gentle breeze outside or a fan nearby that can cool you off, reconsider mindlessly switching on the AC.
- Make your AC go the extra mile. Use fans to extend the life of your window unit. If you’ve got two window units on either side of a room, turn on one and let the fans distribute the cool breeze.
- Don’t turn on the stove. Ovens not only heat up your dinner, they heat up your home as well -- opt for salads or other low- or no-cook options like grilling or microwaving.
- Replace your lightbulbs. Those funky-looking, compact bulbs use 75 percent less energy than your old standbys. Switch out your incandescent bulbs for just a few dollars and start saving today.
- Let your dishes air-dry. Like the stove, the dishwasher produces heat and uses energy to run. If you have a small amount of dishes to wash, do them by hand and let them dry in the rack.
- Unplug electronics when on vacation. Add unplugging to your to-do list after packing. Even when they’re not in use, your computer, television, and other appliances are still sucking up energy -- and adding extra dollars to your monthly bills while you’re hundreds of miles away.
- Wash only full loads of laundry. Washing clothes taxes more than electricity and gas -- water is involved as well. Always do full loads of laundry to maximize energy efficiency. It just makes sense.
- Use cold water to wash your clothes. While you’re doing that full load of laundry, opt for cold water to eliminate the cost of heating up the water.
For more information on how to save on your energy bills, check out the Department of Energy’s website,
home.doe.gov.
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-- Margaret O'Malley
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