Where Your Energy Consumption Goes Infographic & 10 Tips to Save Energy

 

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So What should you do?

 

10 Tips to Save Energy TodayEasy low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy and money.

1. Install a programmable thermostat to keep your house comfortably warm in the winter and comfortably cool in the summer.

2. Use energy efficient light bulbs with the ENERGY STAR® label.

3. Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.

4. Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.

5. Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).

6. Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.

7. Take short showers instead of baths.

8. Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

9. Caulk, seal, and weather strip all seams, cracks, and openings to the outside. 

10. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on home appliances and products. ENERGY STAR® products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

How Much Are Your Appliances, Computers, Electronics Costing You?

Coming off the almost week of electronic talk, let’s talk about all those plugs. Though it’s not the season in which you’d typically hear about vampires … you’re plugged in electronics are sucking electricity. Conservationists call these devices vampire electronics, and they claim 5% of American’s electric bills. If you have a charger and are done charging don’t just unhook the item, also unplug the cable from Kill A Watt Product Imagethe wall. You can stop vampire electricity by also unplugging countertop electronics such as your mixer, rice cooker, or coffee maker. During the holiday season also remember to unplug those strings of lights. It’ll literally pay you in the end.

Seeing Summer’s tip today makes me think of what my husband has requested for Christmas. My husband wants me to buy him a Kilowatt for Christmas. A Kilowatt is a calculator that you plug into the wall and then plug your appliances into it. Then it measures how much power the appliance uses and how much it costs you on your electricity bill to measure. I have no idea which brand makes a good Kilowatt. Seems like P3 International makes the actual Kill A Watt,  and Black and Decker has their own version. I just have no idea which one to get him.  I’m also very nervous to see how much our computers that run all day every day are costing us on the electricity bill. We run our electronics 24 hours a day how often are you running your appliances? Do you turn everything off and unplug it or are you like my family?

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.