Conserving energy in your home

So how are you Texans enjoying this scorching hot weather? Here in Harris county where I live, we have had temps in the high 90s this week and I and my car are not enjoying it. It's too hot to be wearing business clothes that is for sure! Five minutes out in this weather and you are wilted like a 2 day old corsage!

So anyway, I know this hot weather means my electric bill is going to go up up and up. Since we have 8 people in our home I am always looking for ways to conserve energy and therefore save on the electric bill. Who can afford to go on vacation in the summer when the light bills are doubling?

 Here are some of my tips and maybe others can add to it...

1.) keep the curtains, drapes or blinds closed during the day. They are sunglasses for your windows.

2.) switch out your old bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs. You don't have to buy them all at once, because they do cost a pretty penny but as each bulb in your house goes out, replace it with the CF.

3.) use your ceiling fans. It makes rooms feel cooler when you are in them and helps keep air circulated.

4.) wash your laundry with cold water. The only thing I wash on hot is socks and underwear.

5.) limit showers to 5 minutes.

6.) don't water your lawn every day. Unless you live on a golf course you don't need perfect looking grass. Plant only plants and grasses native to your area that can survive under typical drought conditions. Use rocks, gravel and other ornamental non- plant items to take up space in your yard rather than grass that needs watering.

7.)if you must use a dishwasher, only run it when it is full.

8.)TURN OFF your computer when you are not going to be home, going to sleep, etc. Computers use a LOT of energy.

9) Have your A/C checked in early spring before you start using it. They will clean it and check the freon. Always keep extra filters on hand and change them monthly or as needed. As needed in my house with high traffic can be sooner than monthly.

10.)Turn off lights in rooms where not needed. I only need lights for reading so otherwise during the day my lights are all off.