Eight ways to Slice Hundreds of Dollars Off Your Energy Bills

1. # 1 on the list is get your heating system checked! Today’s modern equipment requires a safety inspection and check up annually. This is important for fuel consumption and safety.

2. Turn down your temperature. If you have to dilute your hot water with cold to prevent scalding yourself, adjust your water heater. Also consider an insulating blanket for your water heater, available at most home improvement centers.

3. Replace old equipment! New energy efficient heating & cooling systems can save you up to 40% of your hard earned dollars. So forget the old logic “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

4. Do not use the dry cycle on your dishwasher- open the door to air dry dishes.

5. Dry clothes on a clothesline, even in winter. Winter air dries clothes well because of the lack of humidity- just put them in the drier to fluff.

6. Vacuum refrigerator coils every four to six months. This will cut down on electrical use as well as cut down on the noise that your refrigerator makes.

7. Insulate exposed hot water pipes in basements and crawl spaces with foam pipe insulation. This helps keep the hot water hot as it runs through the pipes.

8. Washing dishes in a basin then rinsing used much less water than washing under running water.

-Better Business House and Home Sept/Oct 2005