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How to save electricity by simply changing your TV habits:
You can save electrical energy by turning off the primary power supply to the television instead of shutting it off at the remote. You should also never leave the TV on just to have it playing in the background.
How to save electrical energy with more efficient use of your air conditioner:
Another way to save power is to use your air conditioner less. The air conditioner uses more power than any other device in the home. A floor fan costs only 25 cents a day to operate all day long. Ceiling fans are also much less expensive to run.
If you have to use your air conditioner, change the way you use it to save power. The optimal setting for a thermostat is 78 degrees. During the summer, you can use this setting and still remain comfortable by minimizing the generation of internal heat in the kitchen. Be sure you change your A/C filter monthly and frequently inspect your outdoor air filters. During the winter, wear heavier clothes inside rather than turning the heater up.
In both summer and winter, turn the unit off when you leave the house. There is no point in heating or cooling an empty home.
How to save electrical energy used by your refrigerator:
Check your user manual or call the unit manufacturer to find the ideal setting for storing the food products you typically buy. Set the thermostat at this setting. Do not set it colder than necessary. If your refrigerator is revealed to have moisture in the system, you need to have it repaired. Otherwise, it will consume more power. Also, if you have low refrigerant, this can also effect energy consumption.
How to save electrical energy with your hot water heater:
First, make sure your hot water heater is not outdated. Some older models are simply energy hogs no matter what you do with them. You may need a home energy audit to determine this.
Once you have determined that your unit is in satisfactory condition, or after you replace it, add hot water taps to the outlet of the water heater to minimize heat loss.
How to save electrical energy with more efficient lighting:
The first step toward more efficient lighting involves make more efficient use of existing lighting. Turn off lights when you are not in the room. Consider investing in occupancy sensors that will turn off lights automatically when you leave the room.
The second step is to replace incandescent bulbs with more energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs need only one quarter the wattage to produce the same amount of light as incandescents. Be aware that removing 3.4 watts of lighting from any space in your home saves 1 watt of power in your air conditioner.
Imagine how much electricity you will save on both lighting AND air conditioning simply by getting rid of incandescent bulbs. Some CFLs are now dimmable, so you can modulate wattage and brightness levels with dimmer controls.
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