Save money with smart energy use

Now that winter is closing in on us (it’s freezing here in Oregon!) it’ll pay to save energy in areas other than heating, which is likely going to be the bulk of your energy bill during the cold season. The good news is that heat is not your only energy drain. So many items in our homes run on energy that it’s easy to save all over the place. For example…

• If computers are on your holiday shopping list go for a laptop not a desktop. Laptops use about half the energy of desktops and if you snag an Energy Star model, you’ll save even more – these use up to 70% less energy than a traditional desktop.
• Choose smart energy in the kitchen. For example for most jobs a microwave, pressure cooker, or toaster oven all use less energy than your stove and oven. Another smart kitchen move is to choose an electric kettle over a stove top model.
• Wash ALL laundry on cold. Yes you can, even very dirty stuff. It’ll all still get clean and you’ll save scads on heating that water. While you’re at it, try an alternative clothes dryer solution.
• Insulate your water heater tank.
• If you’ve got a waterbed, make sure you make your bed daily. A waterbed looses tons of energy when left uncovered. If you cover it up, you’ll use 1/3 less energy to heat your bed.
• Do a fridge check. Your refrigerator uses a scary amount of energy and not taking care of it makes it worse. Make sure to clean the coils every six months and maintain clean seals on the doors; free from grim and crumbs. For example, you should be able to stick a piece of paper in your fridge door and it should not slide out.

[image via stock.xchng]