Save Money on the Forgotten Energy Users

When most people think of reducing their energy costs, they automatically think of heating, cooling, and hot water. While those areas account for the majority of household energy consumption, all the other things that use energy can add up significantly. Each tip here may only save a small amount but put together could result in a lower monthly energy bill.

Lighting is an area that can easily be controlled by simple methods. Natural light is free so open the curtains and blinds to let the sun shine in. Use white liners in lampshades and light, reflective colors on the walls to make the most of the light you have. Even dusting bulbs and fixtures more often can help as dust buildup can reduce light intensity by 25%.

Put lower wattage bulbs in overhead fixtures that are just used for conversation areas or television viewing. Avoid "long-life" bulbs except for in hard to reach places. They use more energy than standard bulbs. Switch to compact fluorescent (CF) bulbs in any fixture used for more than 2 hours per day. CF bulbs last up to 10 times longer and use 25% less energy than regular incandescent bulbs.

Make it easy for the whole family to turn off lights by installing 2-way switches for lights in stairways, halls, or rooms with multiple exits. That way, lights can be turned off in more than one place. Install motion sensor lights for outdoor lighting needs like driveways or porches. It's a waste of energy to have those lights on for several hours each evening.

If you have a dishwasher, don't use the dryer cycle. Shut the machine off and let your dishes air dry instead. If you have a waterbed, lower the thermostat if it's adjustable. Insulate the bottom and sides of the bed with polystyrene foam insulation. Pull the covers all the way up to insulate the top. When doing laundry, remove any clothes that need ironing while still damp. Better yet, avoid buying clothes or items that need ironing.

In today's electronic age, most homes have multiple televisions, VCRs, DVD players, etc. Many homes also have at least one computer. One things all these gadgets have in common is the "instant on" feature now built in. What that means is that each one of these devices is still drawing a small amount of electricity even when they are shut off! Each one may be consuming just a tiny amount but put together the energy costs can equal up to $20 on your monthly energy bill. Start turning the power strip or surge protector off overnight or when gone all day to stop wasting your energy dollars.

A lot of little things can add up to a large amount faster than you think. So when you're trying to control your energy costs, don't forget all the little energy using devices around your house. Even if each thing you do only saves a few cents, those cents add up to dollars before you know it.