Six Easy Methods to Conserve Residential Energy

Many people are finding their power bill is climbing higher and higher. The good news is that you can cut your power bills as much as 30 percent each month by making simple changes around the house. Here are six strategies you can implement now to cut energy costs in your dwelling:

Replace Old Appliances

This is one of the easiest ways to save energy and will save you money in the long run. Instead of using those ancient appliances you've got sell them at consignment, a flea market or on Ebay and buy new appliances with the Energy Star designation. This logo tells you that the device complies with today's energy conservation standards and it should also state the amount of power used by the appliance on an annual basis. There are even Energy Star tax breaks and exemptions for many appliances which you can learn about at the EnergyStar.gov website.

Turn Appliances Off When Not in Use

This is so easy a child could do it. If you are not using your computer, power it off rather than keeping it in standby mode. This goes for other devices as well such as television sets being left on when you're not actually watching them. Even keeping a cell phone charger plugged in when you're not using it can suck away precious energy. Powering off these little devices and appliances can make a real difference.

Turn Off the Lights

If you can make use of natural daylight then by all means do so. There is no need for lights to be turned on during the day because you can open blinds and shades to let the daylight in. When you are using a light be sure to turn it off when exiting the room. Also, swap your old fashioned light bulbs for the new compact fluorescent variety which last much longer and are much better for the environment. These bulbs are ideal for every room of your home but especially recommended for areas where lights are left on for long periods of time such as your exterior lights and any security or garden lighting you use at night. Investigate solar powered lights for the garden as there are a wide variety available these days.

Change Your Laundry Habits

Use the old-fashioned yet effective method of hanging clothes out to dry instead of using an electric dryer. Make sure you save the washing machine for full loads and use cold water. There are actually cold water detergents especially made for this. Use the shortest possible wash cycle, reserving the longer ones for extremely soiled garments.

Cut Down on Hot Water

Save on the cost of hot water by taking showers rather than baths as less water is used. If you are a bath lover then reserve this for once a week as a treat and use the shower the rest of the time. Try putting an aerator on your low flow shower head to increase its efficiency. Also if you plan to travel for an extended period of time turn off the power to the main switchboard geyser to save money.

Modify How You Cook

Consider cooking with a microwave rather than conventional oven as microwaves use substantially less power. There is no need to pre-heat your oven for very long because this simply wastes power. Always keep the oven door closed to prevent heat from escaping. This and the other tips in this article can help you see a substantial savings on your bill while helping the Earth.

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