Cut Your Energy Bill in 5 easy ways

[john]

[B]Consider these simple ways to boost the environment and reduce energy consumption - not to mention your utility bill:[/B]

[B]1.[/B] Rethink your laundry. About 90% of the energy used to wash clothes goes to heating the water. By washing full loads and using cooler water and cold-water detergents, you can save energy, water and money. An Energy Star washer uses half the energy that standard washers do, as well as much less water, and they spin clothes more efficiently, saving drying time.

[B]2.[/B] Power up with power strips. Even when the TV and other appliances are off, they use energy if they're plugged in. Plug them into a power strip and when not using a device flip the strip switch to off.

[B]3.[/B] Make your thermostat work for you. Programmable electronic thermostats control room temperature depending on the time of day. Reducing the temperature by just 4 degrees will save about $130 a year on energy. If no one is home all day or you?re away for a weekend, program the thermostat accordingly.

[B]4.[/B] Switch out your light-bulbs. Compact fluorescent light-bulbs use at least two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs produce the same amount of light as traditional incandescents but last up to 10 times longer. Considering that lighting accounts for 20% of the average U.S. electric bill, this small change can translate to significant savings. Furthermore, the installation of a motion-sensor light helps ensure you only use lights as needed.
[B]
5.[/B] Use wind as fuel. The wind is a continuous source of clean, free energy that you can harness at your own home with a utility grid-connected residential wind turbine. Incorporating wind energy into an alternative energy plan may seem to be a large initial investment, but it provides a rewarding financial return. Homeowners have reported saving up to 50% on their energy bill with a backyard wind turbine. In strong winds, they can actually produce excess electricity that some utilities will buy from homeowners.

[Josh44]

To help save water, I have placed 3 standard bricks wrapped in plastic wrap (to keep the water from disintegrating the bricks) in the tanks of my toilets. This has reduced my water bill about 40%.

[MsImpact]

Very interesting post, John, especially point number 5. I have never thought of using wind turbine at home to provide electricity. How big does it have to be? I guess solar and wind energy are best combined. Solar will be utilized in the summer and the wind in winter when there's more wind. But I'm sure it requires a good sum of investment although in the long run is going to be worth it all.

[Bobsthelast]

I would LOVE to have a wind turbine. I've seen some plans posted online and I've given it some thought. I am going to try to build one this next summer and get it set up for my home. I also am looking at plans for solar panels you make yourself. I'm not sure if I'm up for them or not but I think I'm going to give it a try.

[One Earth]

Do you happen to know if the new types of light bulbs will work with dimmers and if they come as three-way bulbs? I would switch if if they do.