If you feel like you’re coughing up your lunch money to some bully in elementary school every time you get your energy bill in the mail, you’re not alone. Normally the solution would be to beat the bully up, but that’s not really an option in this case… at least not if you’re trying to stay out of prison. However, you can change how much money you have to give to the bully each month. Here are 5 simple ways to reduce your energy consumption and the anxiety you get from your energy bill.
1. Seal up the house
Did you know that on average, a properly insulated home improves energy efficiency by 20%? The first thing that you want to do is to make sure that there aren’t any cracks under doors or along windows that can allow air to escape. If you don’t frequent your attic, caulking the crack between the door and the ceiling is a must, since hot air will easily escape through the roof. Weather strips are also a good solution for cracks under doors and other places where caulk can’t be used.
2. Invest in energy-efficient appliances
Different cities have different incentive programs, giving you rebates or tax credit for select appliances. Check to see if your city is in the database of incentive programs or ask a retailer which appliances offer rebates for energy efficiency.
3. Unplug appliances on standby
Most people don’t know that 10% of the average power bill is from appliances on standby. Unplugging idle appliances may be cumbersome, but it will add up over the course of the month. If it’s for something like a home entertainment system, you might want to get a plug bank with an off switch so you don’t have to yank chords out from behind your TV and risk getting electrocuted.
4. Use solar power
Even though solar panels only convert about 10% of sunlight it captures into electricity, solar panels are still a good supplementation to your energy demands if you live in a generally sunny area. However, you might want to check your area’s crime stats though, since you wouldn’t want your alarm system to run out of solar power if you live in a sketchy area.
5. Switch to CFL lights
Every Compact Fluorescent Light bulb can save more than $40 on your power bill over the course of its life. They use about 75% less power than conventional incandescent bulbs and last about 10x longer as well. They also produce 75% less heat, which can save your money on heating as well.
This is a sponsored post written on behalf of The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) and Home Security Systems. It is meant to be an informative and helpful way promote renewable energy and energy efficiency and safety.
