byJOE BARRIOS

Don’t believe for a minute that the only way to save energy in big ways at home is to make large-scale renovations and changes. Instead, look to the small when trying to create a more eco friendly home. There are many different ways to save a lot of energy that are often overlooked and which cost little to no money. All it takes is a lifestyle change, or changing the way something is done. Here are six energy saving tips that each cost less than $50 to implement–and some are even free.

1) Energy saving light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) are a great idea whose time has come. They offer a huge amount of energy savings compared to energy-hogging incandescent bulbs, using up to 70% less energy. They also last many times longer, making them a truly good value proposition. The more you install, the more you save energy. Other energy saving light bulbs are also coming–keep a look out for LED and other technologies, although it will be awhile before they become truly cost-effective. Cost: it varies, but you can find CFL bulbs for $1.50 or less.

2) Weatherstripping. When thinking of heating and cooling, most people assume that the first step to greater energy efficiency is to install a new boiler or HVAC unit. Hold the horses! Before you even go there, have you thought about plugging up every nook and cranny in your home that is letting in the cold during winter or the heat in summer? You know what I mean–that nasty little draft you feel while sitting at your desk, the unusually warm room because of the large gap under the outside door. These holes add up to a huge waste of energy. Plug up these holes with weatherstripping materials easily found at your local hardware store and enjoy energy savings without a new boiler or air conditioner. Cost: ranges from $2 to about $50, depending on the materials you are buying.

3) Lower and raise the temperature. If you think about it, what’s the use of keeping your home at maximum heat (or coolness in summer) when you are sleeping, or when nobody is home because they are at work? You can save up to 20% of your heating and cooling bill by lowering (in winter) or raising (in summer) the temperature by ten degrees while you’re not at home or while asleep. That adds up to a huge amount of savings over time. A programmable thermostat helps a lot because you can program it and forget. But if you don’t have one, just remember to change the setting on your way out the door or up to bed. Cost: $0.

4) Reduce hot water usage. Your hot water heater uses a good deal of energy, depending on its setting. Turning down the setting to about 110 degrees helps a good deal. So does being mindful about how you use hot water, especially while showering and while washing clothes. When doing laundry, it’s easy to use a washing cycle that uses entirely cold water, and there are special detergents available that are specifically for washing in cold water. The less hot water you use, the more you save–while the savings can’t be quantified, bear in mind that large amounts of water are heated and used during these activities. Cost: $0.

5) Turn off the computer. A typical computer power supply uses about 300 watts of energy, or the equivalent of five 60-watt bulbs. Many people let their computers run day and night. What for? Turn off the computer and save energy instead. If you don’t want to power it down completely, then set it to “sleep” mode–which turns off the computer except for a tiny bit of power to the computer’s memory to keep track of where you were when you return. In Windows you can set set sleep mode manually or set it up to happen automatically after a certain number of minutes of inactivity. Cost: $0.

6) Use a programmable timer switch. Turning off lights or appliances when you don’t need them will save you a large amount of energy. Remembering to do it every time is more of a challenge–especially if you have kids! One solution is to install a programmable timer switch wherever you have lights or appliances that you know need to be turned on and off at particular times. Install one of these switches and you can forget having to turn off that porch light every night before going to bed. Cost: $49 for the Leviton 6124h Decora programmable timer switch that can be programmed in 30 minute increments.

These six easy steps towards a more eco friendly home are inexpensive to implement but will yield almost instant savings of energy and money. Try them today!

Joe Barrios is an expert who writes about eco friendly home and garden products. If you are looking to be more eco friendly at home, check out his website at EcoVillageGreen.com to read more about the Leviton 6124h Decora programmable timer switch and other environmentally friendly home products.

Originally posted 2010-02-18 21:33:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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