25 Ways To Conserve Energy

With the ever-rising cost of living, everyone is looking for ways to save money. One great way to do so is to lower your monthly electricity costs. By making small changes in your everyday routine, you will being to see differences.

1) Change or clean your furnace filter once a month.
2) Install a programmable thermostat.
3) Don’t set the thermostat higher than you actually want it.
4) Don’t let furniture and draperies block the air flow from air vents.
5) If your home has a boiler system, avoid covering radiators with screens or blocking them with furniture.
6) Use rags or hand towels instead of paper towels or napkins.
7) When using the fireplace, turn down the furnace to 55 degrees. If you don’t, all the warm air from the furnace will go right up the chimney, wasting energy and money.
8)  Keep plantings at least one foot away from your central air conditioning unit for adequate airflow.
9) During late afternoon and early evening, turn off unnecessary lights and wait to use heat-producing appliances.
10) Shade south- and west- facing windows during the hottest part of the day in the summer.
11) Plant a tree. One well-placed shade tree can reduce your cooling costs by 25 percent.
12) When planting trees, place leafy shade trees to the south and west, and evergreens to the north.
13) Use cellular shades for your home or office.
14) A ceiling fan should blow air down in the winter and up in the summer.
15) Set the fan on your central air conditioner to “on” rather than “auto.” This will circulate air continuously, keeping the temperature more even throughout the house and aiding in dehumidification.
16) Make sure your window air conditioner is the proper size.
17) Vacuum registers and vents regularly.
18) Raise the thermostat to about 78 to 80 degrees whenever you go to bed or leave the house.
19) If your home can’t accommodate central air conditioning, try a whole-house attic fan.
20) During the winter, remove window air conditioners and seal the windows with caulk and weatherstripping.
21) Use safety plugs in all unused outlets. These are prime places for outside air to leak into your home.
22) Hire an environmental consultant to assess your residence for hazards.
23) If your home has a large, single-pane picture window, use heavy draperies during the winter to help hold back cold air.
24) Reflective window film can help reduce heat gain during the summer, and it will keep furniture and carpets from fading.
25) Check window panes to see if they need new glazing. If the glass is loose, replace the putty holding the pane in place.

Tips Courtesy of: http://www.savewithces.com

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