There are many good reasons to lower your energy use. Not only can you help save our precious natural resources, you also can save a great deal of money. If you are a propane user, you already use a highly efficient fuel to heat your home and run appliances, but here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your energy dollar.
It's probably not surprising that the largest chunk of our heating dollar goes to pay for cooling a home and heating it up. Your heater works hard to keep the home toasty warm during the cold months, and you can help it along with a few quick fixes. Replace an old thermostat with a programmable model that automatically adjusts based upon your schedule. The Department of Energy suggests that you keep the thermostat at 68 degrees when you are home and about 55 degrees at night or when you are gone. Also be sure that hot air isn't escaping through the doors and windows of your home. Proper insulation also keeps heat in the house.
Along those same lines, your air conditioner will work more efficiently if your windows, doors and ducts are sealed. Energy efficient windows also can lower cooling costs, and even installing good shades can reduce the amount of sunlight in your home, which makes it easier for the air conditioner to do its job. Sometimes there are federal tax credits available for upgrading to a more efficient air conditioner or heater.
Your old appliances might be sucking up a lot of your energy dollar, so whenever possible, consider upgrading to a better, smarter appliance. Be sure to ask about tax credits whenever you switch out a fridge, dishwasher, washer, dryer or a water heater. Also, be sure to only wash dishes and run a load of laundry when you have a full load. Consider washing clothes in cold water as much as possible and turn off the heated dry option on your dishwasher to save a few more dollars each year.
Energy efficient light bulbs are expensive, but they last a long time and they truly can reduce your energy usage and costs. Think about upgrading light bulbs a few at a time, and you should see a big savings over time. In addition, be sure to unplug appliances such as the microwave or the coffee maker when not in use, as these continue to draw a small amount of power. If you hook up all of your electronics, such as TVs and DVD players to a power strip, you can simply switch off the power strip when the devices are not in use to save power. The same rule applies to your computer and also your printer.
If you are an Ohio propane customer, a Delaware propane customer or perhaps a Pennsylvania propane customer, it is wise to buy your propane when the cost goes down, which usually happens in July and August. It's quite expensive to purchase during the winter months, and Thrifty Propane offers pre-buy specials for customers who wish to stock up when the costs are low. This definitely can add up to big savings on your yearly energy costs.
It's probably not surprising that the largest chunk of our heating dollar goes to pay for cooling a home and heating it up. Your heater works hard to keep the home toasty warm during the cold months, and you can help it along with a few quick fixes. Replace an old thermostat with a programmable model that automatically adjusts based upon your schedule. The Department of Energy suggests that you keep the thermostat at 68 degrees when you are home and about 55 degrees at night or when you are gone. Also be sure that hot air isn't escaping through the doors and windows of your home. Proper insulation also keeps heat in the house.
Along those same lines, your air conditioner will work more efficiently if your windows, doors and ducts are sealed. Energy efficient windows also can lower cooling costs, and even installing good shades can reduce the amount of sunlight in your home, which makes it easier for the air conditioner to do its job. Sometimes there are federal tax credits available for upgrading to a more efficient air conditioner or heater.
Your old appliances might be sucking up a lot of your energy dollar, so whenever possible, consider upgrading to a better, smarter appliance. Be sure to ask about tax credits whenever you switch out a fridge, dishwasher, washer, dryer or a water heater. Also, be sure to only wash dishes and run a load of laundry when you have a full load. Consider washing clothes in cold water as much as possible and turn off the heated dry option on your dishwasher to save a few more dollars each year.
Energy efficient light bulbs are expensive, but they last a long time and they truly can reduce your energy usage and costs. Think about upgrading light bulbs a few at a time, and you should see a big savings over time. In addition, be sure to unplug appliances such as the microwave or the coffee maker when not in use, as these continue to draw a small amount of power. If you hook up all of your electronics, such as TVs and DVD players to a power strip, you can simply switch off the power strip when the devices are not in use to save power. The same rule applies to your computer and also your printer.
If you are an Ohio propane customer, a Delaware propane customer or perhaps a Pennsylvania propane customer, it is wise to buy your propane when the cost goes down, which usually happens in July and August. It's quite expensive to purchase during the winter months, and Thrifty Propane offers pre-buy specials for customers who wish to stock up when the costs are low. This definitely can add up to big savings on your yearly energy costs.
About the Author:
Cath Buhr enjoys blogging reviews on propane retailers. For more information about Dayton propane retailers or to know local Pittsburgh propane prices, please check out the Thrifty Propane website today.
No comments:
Post a Comment