(being constructed, but some savings are immediate)
INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSION
Of course, the social effect (value) of energy savings is an extra benefit of these strategies. However, here we are solely relying on savings to be the motivator. One of the keys is that we are trying to get you to have a longer term point of view, as many savings require a larger investment in order to reap the rewards. (Note that the savings per year are actually greater than the finance costs of a home equity loan.)
To find the biggest potential area for savings we look to the highest expense areas, in approximate order:
Auto purchase
Heating
Lighting
General electricity savings
Use the following as a checklist to see if you're doing them or not. The simplest strategies will save you alot with little effort. Getting these into effect will be a very high payoff for your time, one of the highest, as it will give you a lifetime of savings.
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WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SAVE ON ENERGY COSTS:
AUTO PURCHASE:
Buy a 30 mpg automobile instead of your standard 20 mpg
Plenty are available in reasonable sizes.
At 12,000 miles/year at $2 a gallon of gas (probably will go back up) Gas savings: $400+/yr
HEATING/COOLING: Have local utility or professional do an energy audit. Have local contractor implement (obviously, you can do most of it yourself if you prefer). In the winter, cooler is more healthy. If you take our advice about having a smaller, more efficient space house, you'll save even more.
Heating:
Thermostat at 68 or lower 10+% saved
Turn off when leave the house, or way down.
Better yet, use a programmable thermostat and fully program it.
Heat only areas used (high efficiency portable heaters, see info at ConsumerSearch.com)
Use fans to blow warmth downward (ceiling fans: reverse in the seasons).
Wear thick pants and a sweater and very warm slippers/shoes to lower temperature even more
Water heater: Turn down to 120 Fahrenheit $
Shower instead of a bath
Cooling:
Thermostat at 75 or higher. 20+% saved
Use fans for local area you are in..
Best sites:
LIGHTING
Led Lighting: Strategy for easiest use: Replace highest use electrical bulb locations with LED lighting.
Initial cost is $65 per equivalent of a 100 watt standard bulb. LEDs last 50 times longer and save enormous amounts of electricity costs. Savings per bulb long term including replacing the standard bulbs over the life of the LED. Source: www.kulekat.com
Per bulb: $400
Mutliyear savings per household: $10,000 +
Per year: $500
ELECTRICITY SAVINGS:
Use certified energy saving devices.
Turn off anything when not in use.
Also, unplugging devices saves about $49/year per device. $150
Put computer on "stand by" if you don't turn it off.
The above are the simpler and generally more impactful changes you can make. Below are other ways of saving energy costs. For those interested in "going green" (helping ecology and future generations), see:
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OTHER ENERGY COST SAVINGS
