Five Energy Tips to Save Upwards of $100 a Month!

There are numerous tasks that can provide energy savings but as we all are aware many aren't really helpful or practical without much work. For example filling the car ties up with air or caulking windows. Well, duh! We all know this, but how about something more realistic including areas you probably haven't realized? Using my engineering background I have compiled five items that you may not realize provide a significant impact on your energy costs. I personally utilize these techniques and my home's energy bill this summer never exceeded $150. So without further ado here is the list.

First, almost all refrigerators allow you to adjust the internal temperature with many now showing the actual temperature in Fahrenheit. Most normal settings are 36 degrees for refrigerators and 2 degrees for freezers. All contents within the refrigerators survive fine at temperatures as high as 39 degrees and freezers upwards of 10 degrees. Depending on the change in temperature this can save you on average $10 a month on your energy bill.



Second, your computer probably has a 750 watt power supply that runs continually when not show off. They have the potential to use upwards of $30 or more a month in electricity. All computers should be turned off when not in use. If standing around for a boot up is frustrating then use the sleep mode. This still shuts down the computer but remembers all your settings providing for a much faster startup.

Third, hot water heaters are typically 3500 watt storage devices. Some homes have two or more. Along side the air conditioner, stoves, microwaves, and furnaces they utilize a large amount of electricity. If your family takes a large number of showers maybe increasing the temperature is worthwhile, but most families should have their hot water heaters set below the recommended setting, especially if you are single. The savings can amount to upwards of $10 a month.

Fourth, the oven is an energy hog having ratings usually around 3500 watts similar to hot water heaters. Most families rarely fill the oven during use because most items cook at varying temperatures. Instead of utilizing the oven purchase a larger toaster oven that instead utilizes 1500-1700 watts. You will cut the energy usage for stove cooked items in half saving upwards of $20 a month depending on the amount of cooking. In addition cooking with convection reduces the cooking temperature by 25 degrees providing additional savings.

Fifth, sprinklers can utilize a large amount of water especially during the summer months. The ground gets hard increasing the surface tension preventing water from fully being absorbed into the ground. To prevent runoff and maximize absorption utilize the same technique as top quality golf courses. They water twice with the first watering lasting only a short period thereby allowing time for the surface tension to break and maximize water absorption. They then utilize a second watering cycle with longer times. This approach reduces the water usage by upwards of 25-30% over a single watering cycle. During the summer when water bills can reach in the upper $100's this amount of savings can easily reach $20-$30 or more. Not to mention your grass will thank you!



There is your total savings of $100 a month in energy costs and the amount of effort to accomplish these savings was essentially zero.