Home Energy Saving Tips

Wrap insulation around heating ducts for energy savings.

Of course, you want your home to be warm and cozy during the winter months, and cool and comfortable during the dog days of summer.

But you also want to keep your energy bills under control.

Energy-smart day-to-day living is easier than you might think. Save cold cash year-round with these home energy saving tips.

Home Energy Saving Tips for Heating and Cooling

If your home's heating or cooling unit is more than 15 years old, you might want to replace it with one of today's energy-efficient models.

The newer models, which are better insulated and have motors that require less maintenance, pay for themselves in energy savings, frequently in as little as three to five years.

If you're not ready to make such a large purchase right now, you can wrap insulation around heating ducts.

But first check your ductwork for dirt streaks, especially near the seams.

A streak indicates an air leak, which needs to be sealed with metal-backed duct tape before you add the insulating jacket.

If the furnace ductwork appears to have been insulated and you think it might contain asbestos, make sure you have a professional test it before you begin.

If asbestos is present, have it wrapped with duct-pipe insulation to protect you and your family.

How to Save on Winter Heating Bills

A sure way to save on winter heating bills is to open the curtains during the day and let the sun shine in, and to draw them at night to keep the heat from radiating out.

Set the thermostat at 68 degrees F. (20 degrees C) or lower during the day, and set it at 55 degrees F (13 degrees C) at night or when you're away.

For every degree you lower your thermostat, you'll save 3 to 5 percent on your monthly heating bill.

Consider installing a thermostat with a built-in timer. While you can easily adjust your thermostat yourself to comfortable temperatures, it's more efficient to have a system that does it for you automatically.

Summer Home Energy Saving Tips

For summer energy savings, set the thermostat at 78 degrees F (26 degrees C) or higher when you're home.

To keep your home cool in summer, draw the curtains and close the windows to keep hot air and the sun's burning rays out. Set the thermostat at 78 degrees F (26 degrees C) or higher when you're home.

Don't place your air-conditioning thermostat near lamps, appliances, or in direct sunlight. Heat in these areas is sensed by the thermostat and could cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.

Home Energy Saving Tips to Lighten Up Around Your Home

Home energy saving tips: Since energy for lighting accounts for some 10 percent of your electric bill, you can save by lightening up on your wattage. If you're using 100-watt bulbs where 60-watt bulbs would do, consider replacing them.

Or switch to fluorescent bulbs that screw into standard sockets. The newer ones give off a warmer light that's closer to the light of incandescent bulbs.

Lighten up on your interior decorating, too: Pale colors for walls, draperies, rugs, and upholstery reflect light and can reduce the number of lamps needed to adequately light a room.

Outdoors, replace incandescent lighting with high-pressure sodium or outdoor fluorescent bulbs for additional savings.

Or try solar-powered pathway lamps (with batteries that store photovoltaic energy for nighttime use) or high-efficiency sodium lamps for security lighting.

Home Energy Saving Tips for Cooking Up Savings

These home energy saving tips make it easy to cook up savings in the kitchen. If you keep range-top burners and reflectors clean, they'll reflect the heat better and require less energy for cooking.

If you cook with electricity, turn off the burners several minutes before the end of the allotted cooking time. The burners will stay hot long enough to finish the job without using any more electricity.

When you have a choice between using the range top and the oven, go with the former to save energy.

If you do use the oven, open it sparingly; each time you open it, heat escapes, and the oven will use even more energy to maintain the temperature.

Use a pressure cooker and a microwave oven whenever possible; both save energy. When you're boiling water, keep a lid on the pot; water boils faster when you use a top to hold in the heat.

Turn Down the Water Heater

The traditional home hot-water setting of 140 degrees F. (60 degrees C) can scald skin - a particular danger with children in the house.

Turn down the thermostat on your water heater to ensure the mercury doesn't top 120 degrees F. (49 degrees C). Your family members will bathe safely, and your energy bill will be lower.