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Kathy's Energy Saving Tips
Heating
To cut energy bills and help save the environment, install a ceiling fan. In the winter, a ceiling fan can save up to 10% in heating costs by circulating warm air from the ceiling to the floor where you can enjoy it. In the summer, ceiling fans can make you feel cooler while reducing cooling costs as much as 40%.
Water
To cut energy bills and help save the environment, install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Cut your hot water consumption in half by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Taking showers rather than baths also saves water. A 5-minute low-flow shower uses only 10-15 gallons of hot water, compared to 15-25 gallons for a bath.
Appliances
To cut energy bills and help save the environment, invest in Energy-Star appliances. You can save up to 50% on energy bills by replacing your old appliances with newer, energy-efficient models.
Weatherproofing
To cut energy bills and help save the environment, weatherproof your home. Cut energy consumption dramatically by weatherproofing windows, doors and thresholds. Most weatherproofing projects will pay for themselves in a few years by reducing the cost of heating and cooling your home.
By Kathy
Keeping the Heat Bill Low
I've been enjoying your polls. My energy bill is about the same as last year and I've made a few adjustments to keep it that way despite rising rates. I hung a lightweight neutral toned comforter in the hallway between the living areas and the bedrooms. Now I can keep the bedrooms quite cool and the living areas comfortable without a terrible draft down the hallway.
I have electric heat so using my oven affects my heating bill as well. Now I make my oven multi-task. I never bake only a single item. I used to put in a frozen pizza and that was all. But no more. I have a second TV and a stereo system in a bedroom that I enjoy but don't use a lot. Modern systems use power even while turned off so I've now got them plugged into a power strip that I can completely turn off the power when I'm not using them.
All small things, but they seem to be helping. I'd like to hear more ideas from all the clever people out there. This is a great site!
Wendee from Tillamook OR
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