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Saving money by reducing appliance costs

This article was huge - do you see why I split it up? Jam packed full of ideas from Mary Hunt about saving money on your energy bill....

Ideas on saving money on your appliance costs:

• If you're replacing your appliances, look for Energy Star-rated appliances.
• Fully load your dishwasher. It costs about $1 for each time you use it, counting soap, energy and water.
• Air dry dishes. Using the air dry option on your dishwasher can reduce its energy use by 15-50%. If you don't have this option, open the door to let it dry after the rinse cycle.
• Use the smallest appliance possible. A slow cooker or microwave uses less energy than the oven.
• Clean out the fridge. If it's too full, the air can't circulate well, and the refrigerator uses more energy to stay cool.
  

Saving money by reducing hot water costs

And more tips from Mary Hunt's article...

To save money on your water heating costs:

• Consider switching to a more efficient tankless water heater.
• Install aerating, low flow shower heads.
• Take showers instead of baths; they use less water.
• Lower the thermostat. 120 degrees is fine for most uses, including killing most bacteria and germs in the laundry. You'll save 3-5% of the cost for every 10 degrees you lower the temperature.
• Insulate your hot water storage tank (Be careful not to cover the thermostat, air intake, or flue).
• Change the laundry temperature. Using warm water instead of hot water cuts the load's energy house in half.
  

Saving money by reducing lighting costs

A few more tips from Mary Hunt's article on saving money on your energy costs, this time specifically in regards to the lighting portion of your energy bill, which typically accounts for about 20% of your electricity bill.

• Switch to CFLs. It costs about a dollar a month to run a regular 100 watt bulb for 3 hours a day. If you use a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL), that cost drops to 25 cents a month. The Department of Energy estimates that changing a quarter of your home's bulbns to CFLs could cut your lighting bill in half.
• Turn your lights off. If you'll be gone for more than 5 minutes, better to turn your lights off.
  

Saving money by reducing energy costs

I read a great article in Woman's Day, by Mary Hunt, that talked about simple ideas on ways to save money on your energy bills. I thought I'd share them here in a few bite sized chunks....

First it hit on how to save on your heating bill, normally one of the biggest energy expenses for households. Ideas?

• Apply weatherstripping - check if you need it by having a lit candle on one side of the door or window and a helper with a blowdryer on the other. If the candle blows out, you've got drafts and need to seal up!
• Insulate outlets and light switches with a specially made foam gasket.
• Turn down your thermostat. It's estimated that for every degree you turn it down for an 8 hour period each day, you can save about 2% on your bill. Try a programmable thermostat to help you remember.
• Only use exhaust fans when necessary. They can actually get rid of a houseful of warm air in about an hour, according to Habitat for Humanity.

Any other ideas that have worked for you?

"Only through focus can you do world- class things, no matter how capable you are."

Bill Gates

Pick a Goal

Another short and simple idea from Mary Hunt - pick a goal. Make it specific, realistic, and measurable. Her example: "I'm going to save $500 within the next 5 months by transferring $25 every Friday to my savings account."

Ideally, most experts recommend having 3 months' income in savings. Yikes!! I know!! Maybe aim for one week first, then one month, and so on.... She also recommends hanging a sign or some sort of reminder to help keep you on track.

Any luck with trying something like this?