12 Ways to Lower Energy Bills AND be More Eco-friendly!

Saving energy doesn’t always mean getting new appliances, installing insulation, or replacing windows. Even if you live in a brand new, super efficient home, there are plenty of ways to lower your energy bills and protect the environment.

1.     Use your laundry machines wisely. Cutting costs on laundry is easy… Simply stop using heat whenever possible, pack the right amount of clothing into the machines, and do laundry at night.

2.     Use the dishwasher wisely. Utilize the same tactics as the laundry machines. Primarily, reduce the amount of heat you use, and load the machine as efficiently as possible.

3.     Replace air filters monthly. Dirty filters restrict airflow, causing the HVAC system to run longer and use more energy. And check your vents. If they’re closed, open them! Closing vents will actually raise your energy costs.

4.     Actually program the programmable thermostat! A lot of energy costs come from heating and cooling empty (or unused) spaces. Program the thermostat to warm or cool your home when you’re actually there, and to switch off when you’re away or asleep.

5.     Close the door. Close attic, basement, garage and exterior doors to prevent drafts and keep in heat or A/C.

6.     Unplug electronics.  Any electronic gizmo that stays plugged in when not in use is sucking up your money. Do a nightly sweep to make sure all your electric devices are turned off before you go to bed. It may be a pain, but the savings from simply turning everything off can add up quickly. 

7.     Consider your light bulbs. Turn off lights you aren’t using. Replace 60-watt light bulbs with compact fluorescents or LEDs.

8.     Set the water heater at 120 degrees. Not only does heating your water too hot create the danger of scalding, it costs you cash. The EPA estimates that a heater set at 140 degrees or higher can waste $36 to $61 annually in standby heat losses to keep water at that temperature, and more than $400 to bring fresh water up to that temperature.

9.     Take a shower instead of a bath. And install a low-flow aerator or flow restrictor on an existing showerhead.  By doing both, you’ll use less water.

10. Think before you cook. The stove or oven may not always be the best choice. Crockpots or a microwave oven may be more energy efficient.

11. Help your refrigerator/freezer work more efficiently. Leave room in front of a refrigerator/freezer to allow cold air to circulate better. Since frozen food stays cold longer than air, it’s good to keep the freezer full, but not packed.

12. Soften those rays. Closing the curtains and lowering the blinds on the sunny side of your house will help keep you cooler on hot days.

20 Ways to Live Green in Your New Home!

Going green isn't as tough as you think. Making smart, environmentally friendly choices ensures that you do your part, while feeling good about your contribution to our planet's wellbeing.

Here are 20 ways that you can live green and be a better friend to the environment.

1. Recycle and compost.
2. Lower your thermostat a few degrees. Also, turn down the temperature of your water heater.
3. Look for cleaning products that are biodegradable, phosphate-free and not tested on animals.
4. Reduce your use of paper towels. Use re-useable, washable cloths whenever possible.
5. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Even if you just change your porch light, laundry or utility room light to CFLs, you’ll be saving energy.
6. Teach your kids to turn off the lights and the TV when they leave a room. Appliances draw energy, cost money and create carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
7. In the market for new appliances? Buy Energy-Star certified products.
8. Planning to re-paint? Use paints low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are harmful chemicals found in many paints and stains.
9. Put a rain barrel by your downspout to collect rainwater to use in your garden later. If you are landscaping, plant drought-resistant plants using a method called xeriscaping.
10. Plant a tree on your property. Or more, if you have space. Trees provide wildlife habitat and help cool the planet.
11. Clean your indoor air with houseplants. They can clear toxins like benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde from the air. (These chemicals are found in paint, varnishes, foam insulation, cleaning products and other common household materials.)
12. In the housing market? Consider a property within biking or walking distance of your office, or close to public transit, so you can leave the car at home.
13. Pack a litter-less lunch. Use reusable food storage containers that are free of harmful bisphenol.
14. Save water. Take shorter showers. Put a water-saver nozzle on the showerhead and all faucets. Turn the water off when brushing your teeth (a great way to teach kids about not wasting water) or while shaving. Use cold water to wash clothes.
15. Use an outdoor clothesline or indoor drying rack whenever possible.
16. Use a ceiling fan to save on heating bills. Because hot air rises, if you run the fan in reverse at a low speed, it will help circulate the hot air.
17. In the summer, keep your blinds or drapes closed during the day, then open them in the evening. And in the winter, do the opposite. 
18. Get an energy audit and find ways to improve your home's energy efficiency. Common to-dos include improving insulation, upgrading windows, installing weather stripping, trading up to a high-efficiency furnace and installing a programmable thermostat.
19. Buy local, buy in bulk, and use your own shopping bag. See if you can find food that was not transported from far away. Many stores carry local produce from neighboring farms. Read the labels on fruits and vegetables to see where they were grown. Buy in bulk and avoid foods that use large amounts of packaging. Buy from farmers markets or co-ops when you can. Take your own shopping bags to the market – plastic is a petroleum product.
20. Keep your freezer full — it runs more efficiently than an empty one. Save water by running the dishwasher or clothes washer only when full.