Energy Conservation
Cut your energy bills 
As the cost of energy
continues to rise saving money on energy expenses, such as the electric or gas bills, fuel
for the car, water use etc., becomes more important everyday. Here are some low and no cost ways
to reduce how much energy you use around your home.
- Turn off the water while you are: washing your hair, brushing your teeth, shaving, and otherwise lathering up while in the bath or shower.
- Wash only full loads of laundry.
- Wash clothing in cold water, and use only the water temperature necessary to remove soils or for adequate sanitation.
- Line dry garments when possible
- Use the dryer for full loads only, recycle dryer heat back into crawl spaces and garages for additional heat.
- Use pots and pans that fit your burners, exposed heat is wasted heat.
- Use tight fitting lids on pots and pans to conserve heat
- Use smaller electric appliances instead of the larger stove if they are more efficient than the stove
- Drive sensibly. Reducing your driving speed can save as much as 15% on your fuel usage.
- Run only full loads in the dishwasher, use your energy saving features.
- Avoid running water when doing dishes.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Turning your heat down to 65ºF at night can reduce your heating bill as much as 21%.
- Caulk and weather-strip around windows and doors.
- Wrap your water heater with an insulation blanket.
- Switch your incandescent light bulbs to compact florescent bulbs.
- Turn off your stereos, TV's, VCR and DVD players, computers and monitors when not in use.
Consumers
can receive energy tax
credits for making energy saving changes around the home. A new bill signed into law
in June of 2005 allows for more tax credits when citizens install or purchase energy
saving devices. Go to the website to find out more about it http://www.energy.gov/engine/content.do?BT_CODE=EDG1760
.
MSU Extension offers an extensive Energy Facts series of bulletins for more information about reducing your energy use and costs. Ask for the Energy Facts Bulletins or find them on the website at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/msue/iac/energy/
Other websites about managing your energy use: Energy Savers Consumer Tips