Save Energy, Save Money

You hear it all the time: “Save the environment.” But if you’re not a scientist or an involved environmentalist, you may think there’s nothing you can do. Not true. A few simple changes in your home practices will have you—and your savings account—seeing green. In the past year, environmental concerns have become increasingly important to individuals, corporations, and the government. It’s easy to get caught up in the big threats—such as global warming—and feel too small to make a difference. But there are many little things you can do to reduce the amount of energy you use and, as a bonus, you’ll trim your home energy bill. The U.S. Department of Energy offers tips to help you decrease your environmental footprint and increase the size of your wallet:

• Look for problem areas. The Department of Energy has a free energy audit on its website (energy.gov) that will help you find areas of your home that are leaking energy.
• Plug the leaks. Light a candle by a door or window and watch where the flame flickers to find leaks, and then seal them. If you also repair leaky air ducts, you could save up to 30% on your annual energy bill.
• Power up on a power strip. Plug home appliances such as TVs, DVD players, computers and monitors, cell phone chargers, MP3 chargers—you get the point—into power strips and turn the power strips off when you’re not using them. Even small chargers that are plugged in without anything charging on them use electricity.
• Change your light bulbs. Switching to compact florescent light bulbs can save lots of money. Don’t worry—these versions will have about the same warm glow as traditional bulbs. You shouldn’t notice a difference—except when your energy bill arrives.
• Shop around. Buying a new dishwasher? TV? Computer? Look for appliances that have the Energy Star® label; they use 20% to 75% less energy than their energy-hogging alternatives. If you’re buying a new TV, consider an LCD version over a plasma model and you’ll save about half the energy. Need an excuse to buy a new computer? A flat screen monitor uses one-third the energy that an old, boxy monitor uses.
• Install—and use—a programmable thermostat. Turning the thermostat up in summer or down in winter when you’re sleeping or away from home saves energy.
• Revamp your laundry habits. Wash clothes in cold or warm water and you’ll use up to 90% less energy than you would with hot water, and your clothes will get just as clean. Wash full loads whenever you can, and when you must wash a smaller load, adjust the water level accordingly.

These ideas are just a start—visit the Department of Energy’s website for many more ways to save energy and money in your home.

_{Source: cuna.org}