Conserving Energy In The Home

"You can go nuts thinking about everything in your house that uses power," says Jennifer Thorne Amann, author of Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings. "You have to use common sense and prioritize. Don't agonize too much. Think about what you'll be able to sustain after the experiment is over. If you have trouble reaching your goal in one area, remember there's always something else you can do." She adds that there are many ways to save energy in your home by taking small steps today.

There are many easy low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy at home. There are also many devices for saving energy that you can buy. Installing a programmable thermostat will give you better control over your home's temperature, without needing to remember to adjust the thermostat when you leave the house or go to sleep each night. You can change all your lights to Energy Star compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use less power and last longer than conventional bulbs. You can air dry dishes or hang laundry outside, instead of using the dry cycle on your appliances. When you're not using your lights, computer, monitor, TV, DVD player or power strip, turn off the devices for better savings. Lower your water heater thermostat down to 120°F and try taking shorter showers, rather than baths.

There are many ways to save energy in your home, particularly in the bathroom and laundry room. When you're washing clothes, try using cold water and liquid detergent (which dissolves best in cold water). Be sure you fill up your machine and then hang the clothes out to dry. Before you go to bed, brush your teeth with cold water before washing your face with warm water to conserve energy. You could also take shorter showers and less baths to save or turn your water heater down to 120 degrees, which will be perfectly warm enough for your showers. Creating energy efficient homes can take a bit of restraint and changing of habits, but you will surely notice tremendous savings on your energy statements with a bit of effort.

It doesn't have to be difficult trying to save energy in your home. The first step for many Americans is to get a better idea of how much energy can actually be saved. For $30, you can buy an energy monitor that will tell you how much power your electronics are consuming simply by plugging each appliance or device into the meter. This eye-opener will help you prioritize where changes need to be made. If you don't have one already, the U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy agency recommends getting a programmable thermostat, which will automatically set your home to whatever temperature you choose at various times of the day.