What are the most effective, yet simple ways to save energy?
Answer:
set the AC to 78 degrees. it will save you around 40 bucks a month compared to set to 75. use floresent light bulbs. a little more expensive but las 3 times longer and saves you i think 3 bucks a bulb on monthly bill. keep blinds closed. AC wont have to work as hard to cool off house. same with using ceiling fans. if your washing machine has a warm water setting use that instead of hot. or better yet use the cold watter detergent and save even more.
you can start by having shorter showers or not have the water on full blast. and if you live close to town/ walk or ride a bike! lovely! good luck mate!! xoxo
If you use a water heater, don't leave it on all day. instead turn it on 30 mins before you use the water - its just as satisfying.
Replace the air conditioner with a fan.
Use flourescent light bulbs. they last longer and use very little energy.
Use a gas stove instead of the regular stovetop with the coils.. butane cans are inexpensive and you nearly eliminate the cost of food heating
The best method is switch off all unused devices like fans, AC, TV etc. Use Fluorescent or CFL lights, Use gas stove instead of electric stove ( direct flame) , Use sun light as for as possible in day time, use solar appliances etc
hanging clothing to dry (clothes line)
turning off lights and other electric appliances when not in use
using sleep timers on TVs and stereos
washing only FULL loads of laundry (and of dishes)
replacing lightbulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
washing much clothing in cold water
taking shorter showers
turning water off while brushing teeth/shaving
thermostat temp down in winter and up in summer
Don't turn your computer on just to ask stupid questions about saving energy.
Stuff you can do for FREE:
- turn off lights & unplug appliances (and the computer when not in use)
- turn the temp down on the hot water heater
- turn the thermo down in winter & up in summer (don't freeze or roast yourself, just look for the coolest/warmest temp you can handle) dress for the temperature instead of using the AC/Heater.
- if you don't know what the breaker is for & can't find anything that uses it, just turn it off. (it may be a blank that they put a switch in)
- clean the cooling coils on your fridge & freezer
- only run full loads of laundry & dishes
- shorter, less pressure & slightly cooler showers. a bath uses less water than a long shower (look at the gal per minute vs a partially filled tub).
- use rain barrels (if possible) for garden water, and water at the correct time of day.
- plant shade trees (yes, there are places that give them away), it will keep your house cooler in the summer without A/C
- open windows when it's cooler at night & shut them before it gets warm outside
- properly used fans use less electricity than an A/C
- instead of running a garbage disposal, compost.
- close off unused (or rarely used) rooms, don't worry about heating/cooling them. section off your living areas, put up sheets if you have to.
Drink water from the tap instead of from plastic bottles. If the water is not nice, get a filter. Invest in a good water bottle (ie Nalgene) and take water with you when you go out.
Open your windows to cool the house before you resort to using the AC - I often find it is cooler outside than in the house.
I don't mean to sound gross, but, only wash clothes when they are truly dirty. If you hang up your clothes after wearing them they will be good enough to wear again - barring any stains or foul odors. Same thing with bath towels - hang it up over the shower curtain to dry and use it again.
Stop using disposable items of any kind.
Never forget the old bathroom adage:
If it's yellow let it mellow; if it's brown flush it down
There are simple ways to save energy around the house:
-Turn off lights in a room you're not in.
-Unplug camera/cell phone/laptop/computer chargers when they're not in use.
-Unplug kitchen appliances when not in use.
-Turn the heat down 2 degrees in the winter, and the AC up two degrees in the summer.
-Run your dishwasher only when its FULL.
-Run your clothes washer only when its FULL.
-Air dry your clothes instead of using the machine.
-Take shorter showers.
-Instead of using the AC, open your windows.
-Switch your normal lightbulbs to Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs (CFLs)
-Carpool to work with friends to save on gas.
-Turn you computer printer/scanner on only when you need to use it.
-Don't water your grass, that's what rain is for.
-Replace DVD players, TVs, dishwashers, refridgerators, stoves, washers, dryers, microwaves, and other appliances with Energy Star ones.
Idon't know where you are from but here in the Sacramento, California area they give away free trees just for the asking to create shade which in turn saves tons of energy on hot days yet still shed their leaves in the winter creating more light to save on using lights. We have gotten many for our yard and Sacramento is now know as having more trees then anywhere in the U.S. because they save tons of energy for free.
Here's what we do.First I will list our bills before & after the changes.
This is just one month to the next.
Water $59 before.Now$11
Electric $124before.Now$42
Gas$108before.Now $57
Here's what we have done.
*Stopped using a/c. We installed ceiling fans & set up floor fans.
*Installed attic fans to our gable vents (this reduces 10% of the heat coming from your roof)
*We painted our house a light color(this reduces cooling costs by 20% & reflects the sun from your home)
*We planted trees to provide shade & groceries(fruits & nuts)
*Changed our incadescent bulbs to cfl's
*We reuse our rain/bath/shower/dish, ect. water to water our garden & lawn. We are organic gardeners...
*We wash or car & our dog on the lawn. We use to water our lawn regularly with the water hose, but have no need to now.
*We wash full loads of laundry on cold, and line dry our clothes in spring, summer, and fall.
*We turned our water heater down & insullated it.
*We installed low flow shower head in our shower & installed aerators on all faucets.
*We put a plastic coke bottle of sand in our toilet tank to prevent so much water from goig to waste.
* I breed birds, so I have a lot of bedding that I use to throw out, but now I use it as mulch in my garden. The pine shavings retains moisture for the plants & the animal droppings are a natural fertilizer.(less watering)
*Turn off all lights when not in use
*Keep the curtains closed
*We unplug everything not in use.
*When we go out of town, we turn off everything & unplug everything, This includes water & water heater.
*We hand wash dishes
*We use the microwave more than the stove(uses less energy)
*We do not preheat our oven when we use it
*We use the computer every other day
*We turn off the water while washing our hands & brushing our teeth.
*We turn the water off while scrubbing in the shower.
I am sure there are more things you can do also...
I hope this helps...Take care & God bless.
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