National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, celebrated on January 10, encourages homeowners and businesses to reduce energy costs and improve efficiency. Did you know that tuning up your heating system can save you up to three to ten percent? National Cut Your Energy Costs Day is all about finding useful ways to save money and conserve energy. Just a little bit of effort can pay huge dividends, for example in many cases, savings you can make can be sufficient to pay for an entire vacation.
How to Celebrate National Cut Your Energy Costs Day
Buy a programmable thermostat
If your heating or air conditioning is on when you don’t need it, that’s the biggest source of wasted energy in American homes, right there. If you own your home, then installing a programmable thermostat should be straightforward but if you’re renting, then you’ll need to talk to the person who rents to you. That’s true of many energy efficiency measures: homeowners are more likely to take them than renters. But that doesn’t mean it’s not in your landlord’s interests, either. Firstly they’re likely to retain tenants longer who are happier with their bills. Secondly, they might also share the belief that sustainability is everyone’s job.
Check that your appliances are energy efficient
Most of us balk at buying a new fridge, freezer, dishwasher, or washer-dryer, but the truth is that many older models are so inefficient they might be costing you more in energy bills than it might cost to completely replace them. A little research should show you whether any of your appliances are officially energy hogs, and whether you might be able to save money over the medium term by replacing any of the most egregious offenders.
Check Your Water Usage
Wasting water not only raises your water bill but the energy used to pump the water into your home and then, of course, to heat it, is a major source of energy use. Get an energy-efficient shower-head and turn your water off when you’re brushing your teeth. Check for any leaky faucets or a toilet cistern that fails to shut off.
It is often in the little things that you do that can save you big money on your energy bill, such as:
Weatherproof your home
Replace old windows with new energy-efficient windows
Replace old furnace with new energy-efficient furnace
Properly maintain furnace
Use solar heat if possible
Turn down thermostats
Turning off lights when leaving a room
Use energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs
Run dishwasher and washing machine only when fully loaded
Lower water heater temperature
Take shorter showers
Unplug unused appliances
Carpool whenever possible
The above list is just a few of the many ways to conserve energy. Use these tips, along with others you may already have in practice, to create energy and financial savings the entire year!
Resourced Content: NationalDayCalendar.com
