One of the joys of owning a home in Cincinnati is that you can have the air conditioning on one day and need to turn the heat on the next. Although we can't change the weather, there are some simple things we can do to reduce energy usage and save money.
Here are 5 EASY energy saving tips that will begin paying for themselves in no time!
- Change your air filters
- Cost = $30/year, Savings = $100/year, Skill Level = Amateur
- Replacement filters cost less than $10 a piece and should be changed quarterly.
- Install a programmable thermostat
- Cost = $50, Savings = $100/year, Skill Level = Amateur
- A smart thermostat will allow you to dial down the temp during hours when you're sleeping or not home and then bring it back to your desired level throughout your waking hours.
- Wrap your water heater in a blanket
- Cost = $20, Savings = $34-54/year, Skill Level = Amateur
- A water heater that is just a few years old can lose a few degrees per hour. Adding more insulation with a water heater blanket will pay for itself in a matter of a few months.
- Use a smart power strip
- Cost = $30, Savings = $30/year, Skill Level = Amateur
- Can't believe that a TV or stereo uses just as much energy when it's turned off than when it's in use? This blows my mind as well. Why go through the pain of unplugging all your electrical devices when not in use when a smart power strip will cut that energy usage for you.
- Install compact fluorescent bulbs
- Cost = $5, Savings = $5/year, Skill Level = Amateur
- An energy efficient bulb can last ten times as long as a normal incandescent bulb and save almost $50 over the life of the bulb.
Start 2008 off by reducing your energy consumption; it's good for the environment, and your wallet.
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