Resolve to Save Energy—and Money—in 2017

Was “save money” on your list of New Year’s resolutions this year? There are all sorts of ways to spend less that can that add up to big savings—and one of those things can benefit not only our wallet, but also the environment.

The U.S. Department of Energy offers 10 tips for saving money by conserving energy. Click on the links for details about these great ideas.

1. Prevent heat from escaping or cold from entering your home – lowering your heating bills – by insulating and air sealing your home.
2. Reduce your waste heat by using a programmable thermostat that can reduce the heat at a specific time when you’re away from the home and increase the heat before you get back home.
3. Doors and windows are places where cold/warm air can easily come through, so by installing ENERGY STAR doors and windows, you can save energy and money with their better quality insulation.
4. Heading out to the after-holiday sales to stock up on décor for next year? Look for light emitting diode (LED) holiday lights, which are at least 75% more efficient and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lights. By using LED holiday lights, you can be at ease knowing that you won’t be spending a bundle to keep those lights on.
5. If you’re taking a winter vacation this year, you can save energy by making sure the lights are turned off.  Read more about when to turn off the lights.
6. Save additional money on your electricity bill by using motion sensor and timer controls.
7. One significant way to reduce energy consumption if you’re away on vacation is to simply lower the water heater temperature. If you’ll be gone three or more consecutive days, set the water heater to the lowest or “vacation” setting if there is one.
8. When you are away, it’s also good to unplug those kitchen appliances, DVDs, TVs, and computers to save energy and money. These electronics, when plugged in, use up energy even when they are turned off.
9. Use a power strip. If the idea of running around the home to unplug everything is a bit too much, use power strips to plug in multiple appliances, and then turn them all off with the flip of the power strip switch.
10. Adjust the blinds and curtains. Close your curtains and shades at night to protect against cold drafts; open them during the day to let in warming sunlight.