LIGHTING

Fluorescent Lighting: Fluorescent Lighting may cost a little more than regular light bulbs but last up to ten times longer. They also give off less heat, so they keep the house cool in the summer.

How to Save you Money with Fluorescent Bulbs:

Switch Them: Replacing regular bulbs with florescent screw in fixtures can cut energy costs by as much a 75% when compared to the equivalent Light Output rated incandescent lamps. 

Check Sales: Especially during National Energy Month-October-stores often have sale prices for fluorescent bulbs.

Try CFLs: Compact fluorescent lamps are great for portable table and floor lamps, and even in touchier fixtures. And they save you even more than regular fluorescent bulbs.

Keep Bulbs Clean: Dust can cut light by as much as 50%.

SAVINGS IN SUMMER

Air Conditioners: Clean filters once a month. A clean filter helps the unit run better. Set temperature Higher – Raising the temperature on you air conditioner can save you money. In warm weather, the thermostat at home should be set at 78 degrees. (Don't do this, of course, if it will cause health problems for anyone in your family.) When no one is home, set the thermostat at 85 degrees. That way, you'll reduce the need for air conditioning and you will save energy.

If you have ceiling fans or other fans, turn them on. The blowing air can make you feel 5 degrees cooler, without running the family's air conditioner. Fans use a lot less electricity than air conditioners!

Shades: Close them during the day, especially on the east and west sides of your home.

Windows: Close them during the hottest hours of the days. At night, open window opposite one another for cross ventilation.

Exhaust Fans: Got them in the bathroom and kitchen? Use them. They remove heat and moisture.

Ceiling Fans: Use them to reduce cooling costs. A ceiling fan with the air conditioner on low will provide the same comfort as an air conditioner set to high and will save you more money.

ELECTRONICS

When you look around the house do you see a lot of lights on your appliances and electronic equipment? Each one of these lights is using energy. While it is not practical to turn them all off you should look to see which ones can be turned off by pulling the plug or with a power switch. Unless you like resetting clocks, be careful as to which equipment you shut off.

Turn off power to computers.

Remember the little green or yellow lights that stay on after the computer is shut off or when your paper shredder is not is use energy top keep the light on. While it may not seem like a lot all of these little bits add up. So take a minute to turn them off when not in use.

REFRIGERATOR SAVINGS

Temperature: Keeping refrigerators too cold costs money.

Proper temperatures: 37-40 degrees for fresh food and between 0-5 for your freezer. One easy way to check: put one thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator, and another between packages in the freezer. Read them after 24 hours.

Refrigerator Doors: Fold a dollar bill and close the refrigerator door on it. If it slips out easily, the seal needs replacing. Close the doors quickly. The interior temperature of the refrigerator can increase by 10 degrees each time you open the door.

Defrosting: Do it regularly. Frost makes refrigerators less efficient – and spoils food.

Cover & Wrap Food: Uncovered foods and liquids release moisture and drive up electricity costs.

Got a second refrigerator?: Think about whether you really need one – or if its just to store a few six packs of beer or soda, remember it costs about $250 to keep around.

Buying a new refrigerator?: Check with the local weatherization office: you might qualify for a free replacement. Check with your appliance dealer about upcoming promotions on efficient refrigerators. The most efficient carry an Energy Star Label.

FIREPLACE USAGE

Buy “seasoned” wood that has been already allowed to dry out.

Lessen heat loss by: opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox, slightly opening the nearest window, closing doors leading to the room where your fireplace is, and lowering the thermostat to between 50 - 55 degrees when the fire is on.

Adding glass doors to the face of the fireplace and leaving them closed after the fire has died down to keep in the heat.