10 Ways to Save Money on Home Energy

January 25, 2010

Our utility company, PG and E, has a wealth of information on their website when it comes to money saving tips for around the house. As we all become more thrifty, it is good to know that many actions we take to save money are also good for the environment. We call these tips “eco-thrifty”. The majority of these 10 ways to save money are totally free, but a few require a nominal investment that will pay for itself in the long run.

Wash only full loads in the dishwasher and use the air-dry cycle whenever possible.
Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees (especially if your dishwasher has its own heating element).
Clean the lint from the clothes dryer after each load.

Use Energy Star compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in the majority of your light fixtures.
Open your window coverings on sunny days so that the sun can help warm the rooms.
Lowering the auto setting on your furnace a few degrees is one of the easiest ways to save money.
Inspect, clean and change your filters on your heating and cooling systems frequently.
Unplug your second refrigerator and recycle it. You may even get some rebates from your gas and electric company.
Turn off equipment and appliances when you’re not using them. A surge protector strip can help make this easy.
Insulating your attic, exterior walls, floors and crawl spaces is a great way to be eco-thrifty over the long run.