The U.S. Department of Energy says that a typical family spends roughly $1,900 per year on home utility bills. A thorough energy audit will help to identify problem areas in your home where energy is consistently wasted. You may find that some very simple fixes and changes in the way your family does things can make a big difference in your energy consumption.
Use Your Dishwasher Sparingly
Only run your dishwasher with a full load, and use the air dry cycle rather than the dishwasher's heated dry cycle. When hand washing dishes, fill a basin with water rather than letting the warm water run.
Use CFL Light Bulbs
Get rid of your old incandescent light bulbs and replace with them with Energy STAR-rated CFL bulbs. Not only do they last longer than traditional bulbs, they use 75 percent less energy. Good Housekeeping reports that you can save roughly $30 in electricity costs over the life of each bulb.
Take Showers
Take showers instead of baths, and try to limit your shower to roughly four to five minutes long. Turn off the shower when lathering up to give your hot water heater a break.
Check Your Insulation
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that only 20 percent of the country's homes built prior to 1980 have sufficient insulation, and many have no insulation in the attic. Have a contractor check your home's insulation and update it if necessary. You will save energy and cut down on loud noises from outside your house.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Install a programmable thermostat and set it to turn your heat down to 60 degrees when you are at work or school. Invest in a down comforter and turn the heat down at night while you are sleeping as well. These simple moves may save you roughly 20 percent on heating costs.
Turn Off Your Computer
Turn off your computer at the end of the day and any other time you are not using it. Not only will this help your computer hardware last longer, you can expect to save roughly $90 per year on electricity. Trade in your desktop computer for a more energy-efficient laptop or netbook. Laptops use 15 to 25 watts of energy compared to an amazing 150 watts that a desktop and monitor use.
Change Your Filters
Be sure to replace or change the filters in your central air conditioning unit and furnace at least once a month. When a filter becomes dirty, the units have to work harder to cool or heat your home.
Use the Right Kitchen Appliances
Check for the Energy STAR label the next time you buy kitchen appliances so that you are using the most energy efficient appliances available. Whenever possible, use smaller appliances like toaster ovens, microwaves and slow-cookers that use roughly 75 percent less energy than standard ovens.
Save in the Laundry Room
Only run your washer and dryer when you have a full load of clothes, and only use the hot water cycle when washing loads of very dirty clothes. Clean the lint screen in your dryer after each use, and dry one load of clothes right after the other to reduce warm-up times.
Weatherize Your Home
Use window-sealing kits to seal your windows with a layer of plastic film in the colder months. Replace your old curtains with thermal-insulated drapes to help keep out the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter. Plug up any gaps around pipes and ducts. Add simple weather stripping to doors and windows to eliminate air leaks.
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