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photo credit: Roguey000

The monthly electric bill can really take a good chunk of change out of any recent grad’s wallet, but every wasted penny also does a number on this planet we all call home. Well, here are ten easy and cheap things you can do today to lower your bills, and your impact on the Earth:

1. Check the furnace or air conditioner filter each month, and clean or replace it as needed. Dirty filters block air flow through your heating and cooling systems, increasing your energy bill and shortening the equipment’s life.
2. Activate “sleep” features on computers and office equipment that power down when not in use for a while. Turn off equipment during longer periods of non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity.
3. In summer, use fans whenever possible instead of AC, and ventilate at night this way when practical. Using fans to supplement AC allows you to raise the thermostat temperature, using less energy. Fans cost less to use than AC.
4. About 15 percent of an average home energy bill goes to heating water. To save hot water, take five-minute showers instead of baths. Do only full loads when using the clothes washer or dishwasher.
5. Replace light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. Incandescent light bulbs are outdated; 95 percent of the energy used goes to heating the bulb, adding unwanted heat to your home in the summer. Replace your five most used light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs to save $60 each year in energy costs. These light bulbs use two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer.
6. 75 percent of the energy used by home electronics is consumed when they’re turned off. Televisions, VCRs, stereos, computers and many kitchen appliances — basically anything that holds a time or other settings — continues to use electricity even when turned off. A simple solution? Plug all of these items into power strips, and then get in the habit of turning off the strips between uses.
7. Your washing machine and dishwasher use a TON of electricity. Minimize the drain by only washing full loads.
8. Replace you regular surge protectors with Smart Strip surge protectors, which automatically turn off power to plugs that are not in use.
9. Don’t Put Uncovered Foods/ Drinks in the Refrigerator. Condensation makes the fridge work harder, and costs you more money.
10. Use Your Microwave Instead of the Oven. Microwaves use less electricity, and don’t release as much heat into your home.

These (and many more) are simple steps anyone can take today to lower your bills, save you money, and do some good. For more ideas and resources, check out the Consumer Tips from the Alliance to Save Energy.

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