Year-Round Energy & Money Saving Tips

Making year-round changes can translate into year-round savings. Follow these tips and find huge savings.

• Replace the five most-used bulbs in your house with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They last up to 10 times longer than regular bulbs and can save you around $25 to $30 per bulb in energy costs over their lifetime.
• Unplug appliances you are not using. Many draw electricity even when not in use.
• Wash clothes in cold water. About 80 to 85 percent of the energy used for washing clothes is used to heat the water.
• Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Take a shower instead of a bath. A five-minute shower can use up to 50 percent less hot water than a bath.