Save energy. Save money!

Ways to save energy, and money.

With the rising cost of energy, and the rising temperature of the planet, it’s more important than ever to do your best to save energy. People usually don’t realize how much money they can save every year by reducing their energy demands. I saved $800 last year on my energy bill by implementing a few easy strategies for saving energy. Keep in mind I have an apartment that some most middle class families could fit in their garage. Another thing people underestimate is how effective doing the things they already know about to save energy really is. Like:

Turning of the lights can really help save you money. Even better though would be replacing all standard incandescent light bulbs with the new energy efficient fluorescent bulbs available now. If you replace one regular light bulb with an energy efficient fluorescent bulb you will save $30 in energy cost over the life of the bulb. With the bulbs being as cheap as they are, 1 bulb = $1, you are would get a %3000 return on your investment.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the majority of energy lost in you home probably comes from you windows. If you have the money to spend installing energy star windows in your home could save you thousands. If; however, you cannot afford new windows then you should look at you window dressings. Thick curtains can insulate windows quite well. If you live in a cold climate keeping the shades open during the day and closed at night will help. Those in warm climates, of course, would do the opposite. I live in Southern California were it is relatively hot during the day and fairly cool at night. I find it works best to keep my windows open at night with a high powered box fan blowing the cool air in, and sealing up the house during the day by closing all the windows and all the shades works great. I have probably only used my air conditioning a half dozen time in the last three years. If you are going to use air conditioning you should look into central air. Again energy star air conditioners are what you want for window units as well as central air units.

Conserving water also save me a bundle. I only landscape with plants that don’t require much water to live. I also water my lawn and garden from dusk ‘til dawn. I never water during the day. I have installed low flow appliances. I have a low flow toilet, and a low flow show head. If you can’t afford to install these things you could always take shorter showers. For the toilet you just need to take an old soda bottle, either a 20 oz a 1-liter bottle, fill it with sand screw the top on and sit it inside you flush reservoir on you toilet. That’s the part with the lid you can take of the fill with water. If you can fit a 2-liter go for it. Every time you flush after you home made up grade you will save 1 or 2 liters of water.

I am going to have a hubpage about solar panels for electricity and hot water uses coming soon.

Peace Y-all