Getting Started Saving Energy on a Personal Level - By: Brent Crouch

Energy conservation is a great way to save money on your utilities. Taking steps to make sure your home is efficiently using the energy you pay for is also good for the environment, because you're using fewer resources to accomplish the same goals. Conservation ensures that the resources and fuel we enjoy today will be there for future generations. Before investing in expensive solar panel kits and new appliances, take stock of your current energy use and make small changes, like the ones below, that can lead to energy conservation without high investment.

Thermostat

Want to see an immediate reduction in your bill? Start with your heating and cooling system. By simply installing a programmable thermostat, you can keep your costs at a minimum. It will help to control the temperature in your home, so that you don't use more than you need. You'll need to change the temperature on your hot water heater as well. Set it to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and you'll save energy.

CFLs

CFL bulbs with the EnergyStar label are 75% more efficient than regular incandescent bulbs. They not only use less energy, they also burn cooler and therefore last up to four times longer. Though they cost more than incandescent bulbs, the higher cost will even out over time because of their long life.

Laundry and Dish washing

Drying things electrically uses a lot of energy. Air dry dishes rather than letting the dishwasher run through a dry cycle. Line dry your laundry on a clothesline, or by hanging your clothes on the shower curtain rod. Only run the dishwasher and washing machine when you have full loads. Use cold water to wash your clothes they'll get just as clean with cold water.

Turn off Devices

When you're not using your computer, turn it off. At the very least, put it in sleep mode to use less energy. Likewise, turn off your television, DVD players and other devices when you're not using them. Unplug all cell phone chargers. Even in standby mode, your electronics use electricity.

Insulate Your Home

You want to not only make sure all doors and windows are sealed to prevent leaks but also that your home's insulation is of a high quality. If your attic isn't insulated make it, and around your doors and window apply adequate sealing.

Change Kitchen Appliances

Heat small food portions and leftovers in the toaster or microwave rather than the oven, because the oven uses a lot more electricity to heat up and maintain its proper temperature. Don't open the door to oven until your food is done to keep heat from escaping.

Fridge and Freezer

Make changes to the thermostat on your refrigerator. Set the fresh food compartment to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Your freezer should be set to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Your food won't spoil, and you'll reduce your electricity bill considerably. If you can buy a new model, a top freezer model is more efficient than a side freezer. Try to choose an efficient size to meet your family's needs, to avoid using excess energy.

Wrapping Up

Start with conservation, and when you've conserved all you have with existing resources, then move on to solar power and EnergyStar appliances. Conservation is the cheapest way to lower your electric bill.

About the Author

Energy Conservation Techniques - A Practical How To Guide Save money on energy bills with these simple conservation techniques. http://www.howtosaveelectricity.net/energy-conservation-tips/

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