Tips To Reduce Your Energy Bills

Everything you do to save energy at home not only helps you reduce bills but decreases your demand on fossil fuels such as gas, coal and oil. Emissions that results from burning these fuels to create energy are the primary contributors to pollution, global warming and the greenhouse effect. Conserving energy by reducing your household demand and becoming more energy efficient by getting the most out of the energy you use can help you achieve lower energy bills by adopting some new habits and performing a few simple, low-cost home improvements.

The first step in making your home more energy efficient is to check the current insulation level. Most homes lose a significant amount of energy because of inadequate insulation in floors, ceilings, walls, attics and crawl spaces. Heating and air conditioning bills account for the majority of your home energy expense and proper insulation will reduce the amount and rate at which heat escape your home in the winter and enters it in the summer. Sealing or weather stripping around doors and windows will complement adequate insulation and further reduce energy bills.

Keeping your heating and air conditioning systems maintained and cleaned will help them run more efficiently and extend the life of the units. Replace air filters often and have your heating system serviced seasonally. Make sure that the area around your air conditioning compressor is clear of debris, high weeds and grass. Cleaning the fan blades once per season will help the unit work more effectively and save you money on your bills during the summer months.

Replacing outdated home appliances with energy efficient models will reduce your energy bills over time. Being aware of how often appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers are run will allow you to conserve energy. Only run full loads and use cold water for clothes washing. Limit your dryer use by installing a clothesline or drying rack. If you must use the dryer be sure to clean the lint trap before each load and periodically clean the vent to increase efficiency. Use the no heat setting for the final few minutes of drying time to save on your energy use.

Small investments like replacing old fashioned incandescent bulbs with high-efficiency compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) will pay off over the long haul. Wrapping your water heater in an inexpensive insulating blanket, and reducing the temperature to 120 degrees, will add up to savings on your monthly energy bill. Shortening shower time by two minutes and installing a low-flow showerhead are also ways to reduce your energy consumption.

Simple habits that are easy to implement will also reduce energy bills and help your conservation efforts. Just by turning off lights that are not in use and limiting the number of times you open the refrigerator you will save energy and money. Using task lighting instead of illuminating an entire room is another way to save on energy costs. Turning off and unplugging electronic devices when not in use and sealing off unused rooms will also help you manage your household energy bills and protect the planet.