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Conserve Energy and Reduce Your Bill with
This Great Advice
There has been no other time in history when so many people
have been so dedicated to conserving energy and reducing their
utility bills. With rising energy costs and global warming,
conserving energy has never been so important in most of our
lives. If you are dedicated to cultivating a greener lifestyle
and lowering your utility bills in the process, here are some
helpful tips and bits of advice that can help you cut down on
your energy use.
Dial down your thermostat in winter
What does it mean to dial down your thermostat? Dialing down
your thermostat in winter refers to the act of reducing the
temperature in your home in order to conserve heating fuel.
This concept is simple enough: the best way to conserve energy
is simply by not using so much of it. You would probably be
surprised how much you can save simply by dialing your
thermostat two or three degrees from your normal temperature.
Simply dialing down your thermostat one degree makes a
difference. If you dial down one degree in winter, this will
generally result in about one to three percent less fuel use,
which corresponds to about one to three percent less fuel use
which is reflected on your utility bill. In order to stay
comfortably cool in the winter, slip on a sweater. At night,
cover up with more blankets. This form of personal insulation
is a great and efficient way to retain your personal body
heat.
Come Summer, Dial Up
Just as you might dial down during the winter, the concept of
dialing down can be simply reversed for the summer months.
Dialing up is a great way to help conserve energy and reduce
the cost of cooling your home during the hot summer months. As
with the cold winter months, you want to dial up a few degrees
and adjust your clothing for the warmer weather. Make sure to
dial up your thermostat for when you plan to be away from the
house.
For larger homes, make sure to close empty rooms
If you occupy a larger home or there are many rooms in your
house that aren’t currently being used, make sure to shut the
doors to rooms. This can help reduce the demand on your heating
and cooling system and help keep the rest of the house at a
moderate and comfortable temperature. Remember that the less
space that needs to be supplied with cool or warm air, the less
you will need to spend on energy costs.
Check that your home is well-insulated
You would be surprised what lurks in your home. If your home is
not well-insulated, you may easily be losing hundreds of
dollars or more each year on keeping your home warm or cool.
Check for cracks in the foundation, thin walls or other
features that may be keeping your home from staying cool or
warm. You can have an expert perform an energy audit on your
apartment or home and give you tips on how your specific living
area can be better insulated for retaining a comfortable
temperature.
Switch to energy efficient lighting fixtures
Most of us already know about the benefits of switching to
fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs are long-lasting and can save
you hundreds of dollars on your electricity bill over a year.
Another great option that you can take advantage of is solar
lighting. If you like to keep your house or yard lit throughout
the night, consider switching to solar lighting. These lights
use the sun’s warmth and energy to stay lit for several hours
and can help save you money on your energy bill.
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