You have the power to save money and energy right in your own home. Not only does saving energy reduce our country’s overall demand for resources, but it can give extra cash each month to use for other purposes. Here are a few ways you can save — whether inside or out.
Outside Your Home:
- Get your A/C unit tuned up by a professional at least once a year.
- If you’re buying a new A/C unit, focus on proper sizing and quality installation.
- Use efficient light bulbs for your outdoor porch or post lamp.
- Use mass transit, walk, or bike whenever you can — try to limit using your car and garage door.
- Tune-up your car (based on the care manual) to ensure fuel efficiency, safety and reliability.
Inside Your Home:
- Install a door sweep to seal the gap at the bottom of your door.
- Use caulking, spray foam, or weather stripping on your windows to prevent air leaks.
- Replace fixtures and bulbs with more energy-efficient products.
- Always turn off your lights when leaving a room.
- Replace appliances with more energy-efficient ones when ready — this also included small electronics, such as your television or DVD player. If you’re ready to upgrade your appliances, consider using a QCB credit card or home equity line of credit to help.
- Unplug any battery chargers or power adapters when not in use.
- Limit the time you spend in the shower to no more than 10 minutes, and take a full bath on an “as needed” basis.
- Fix leaky sinks or showerheads to limit water waste.
- Use a power strip as your central “turn off” point for all equipment you use.
- Avoid using a screensaver when your computer monitor isn’t active — let it switch to sleep mode or turn it off.
While this is not an exhaustive list, it will give you a good start to being more energy-efficient and saving money. Once you begin to put these practices in place, you may find other ways you can save. Taking small steps will make a big difference to the environment in the long-run — and your budget will thank you as well.
