| Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency is a | | | | whether anyone in the family needs it or not. |
| powerful combination. | | | | Keeping gallons of water heated at all times |
| Before I show you three powerful ways to | | | | contributes to a much higher utility bill. |
| reduce your home energy bill, let me take a | | | | Save money by installing a timer on your electric |
| moment to tell you what energy conservation | | | | hot water heater. This handy device enables you |
| and energy efficiency is not. | | | | to select specific on and off times to operate |
| It is not turning off your heat in winter or turning | | | | your water heater. |
| off your air conditioner in summer. It is not living | | | | You may choose to have hot water available for |
| in a wilderness cabin. That's not efficient-that's | | | | early morning showers, or late afternoon laundry, |
| fanatical. | | | | or for evening dishwasher use. Set the timer to |
| With that out of the way, I'm going to teach you | | | | turn on about one (1) hour before you plan to use |
| three different strategies to conserve home | | | | it. |
| energy and reduce your monthly utility bill. | | | | Heat hot water only when you actually need it |
| Strategy 1 - Digital, Programmable Thermostat | | | | and watch your electric utility bill decrease. Local |
| If you do not have one, you need a digital, | | | | home improvement stores typically keep hot |
| programmable thermostat. These thermostats | | | | water heater timers in stock. A popular electric |
| are more accurate than the older type | | | | water heater timer used only with electric water |
| thermostats and can be programmed to keep | | | | heaters is The Little Gray Box. |
| your home at the temperature you choose. | | | | Strategy 3 - Major Home Appliance Maintenance |
| Once the new thermostat is installed, it's time to | | | | Hard working home appliances need regular |
| program it for various daily temperature settings. | | | | maintenance to keep them working at their most |
| Some models can be programmed for one set of | | | | energy efficient. |
| temperatures during the workweek when family | | | | Regularly clean or replace filters on heating and air |
| members are away from home, and another set | | | | conditioning units. Read the manufacturer's |
| of temperatures for the weekend. | | | | information for your particular system's |
| Models that are more elaborate can be purchased | | | | maintenance requirements. Make a note on your |
| that allow you to program a different setting for | | | | calendar when maintenance is done and when it is |
| each day of the week. | | | | due again. |
| The Department of Energy suggests temperature | | | | Vacuum your refrigerator's coils on a regular basis. |
| settings of 68 degrees in winter and 72 degrees | | | | Dust collecting on the coils cuts down on your |
| in summer. But there's no need to keep your | | | | refrigerator's efficiency and substantially increases |
| home at 68 degrees while everyone is at work | | | | cooling costs. Simply vacuum off the heavy dust |
| or school during the day. Program the | | | | and gently brush the remaining dust away to get |
| temperature for 55 degrees while the family is | | | | the coils very clean. |
| away and then have it adjust back to 68 degrees | | | | Perform this simple maintenance on your |
| just before everyone arrives home again. | | | | refrigerator - and an upright freezer, if you have |
| Choose a new programmable thermostat | | | | one -every three (3) months. If you have pets in |
| compatible with the heating/cooling system in | | | | your home, consider vacuuming your appliances |
| your home. There are several brands on the | | | | coils once a month. |
| market which you can purchase from your local | | | | Now you know three (3) simple strategies that |
| home improvement store. | | | | will reduce your home electric utility bill. Put your |
| Strategy 2 - Timer for Hot Water Heater | | | | home comfort environment on autopilot with a |
| It makes more sense to heat water only when | | | | programmable thermostat and a water heater |
| you actually need hot water. Why heat water for | | | | timer. Make major household appliance |
| your home when no one is there to use it? | | | | maintenance part of your home routine. Watch |
| Standard electric water heaters keep many | | | | your home energy consumption drop! |
| gallons of water heated all time of the day | | | | |