Slice Your Power Bill in Half

E CON O MI C SEN S E O F ENER GY E F FICI EN CY SLICE YOUR POWER BILL IN HALF A FEW SIMPLE WAYS TO 45% Heating&Cooling 11% Hot Water 10% Washer& Dryer Water-heater technology hasn't changed much in recent years. There are, however, newer, instantaneous heating models (with no tank) that can save you up to $50 a year in energy costs, although they cost more initially. Solar hot-water heaters are gaining in popularity as an alternative for or supplement to conventional water-heating units. For more information, visit the Department of Energy online Photovoltaics. Usually, heating and cooling accounts for the biggest single chunk of your energy bill. The good news is there are many ways to cut those costs: New high-efficiency appliances are much better for the environment and your family finances. These tips can also help: Choose energy-efficient furnaces or air conditioners that are the right size for your home. Properly insulate your home (especially the attic), including the duct system. Wash laundry in cold water, which can save up to $63 a year. or National Center for Contact your utility company for a free energy audit. If your utility company doesn't offer free audits, try the do-it-yourself tool, from the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Set your water heater to 120 degrees, it can save up to 10 percent in water-heating costs compared to a 140 degree setting. Consider a front-loading washing machine if you're in the market for a new one. Consumer Reports tests show that the most efficient front-loading machines can cut water consumption by about 25 percent compared with the worst ones we tested. Programmable thermostats, insulated windows, and ceiling fans also help lower your energy bill. A programmable thermostat, can cut heating and cooling costs as much as 20 percent when you use it to reduce by 5 degrees at night and 10 degrees during the day when heating (or raise it an equal amount when cooling). Watch how we test programmable thermostats and get recommendations on choosing a thermostat (full report available to subscribers). Wrap an insulation blanket around your hot water pipes and storage tank. Replace a shower head that is more than 10 years old with a low-flow model. It can save up to half the hot water used for showering. 6% Refrigerator Thanks to federally mandated minimum-efficiency standards, this former energy hog now has one of the daintiest energy appetites in the house. However, there are still ways to reduce its consumption: Choose a top-freezer model (the most efficient) over a side-by-side model (the least efficient). 45% 1% Ice makers add to energy consumption and potentially to repair bills. Models with ice makers are the most repair-prone according to Consumer Reports surveys. 4% 2% Dish Washer 10% 7 % The newer high-efficiency appliances are much better for the environment and BRIK your family finances. This tip can also help: Wash full loads in your dishwasher, skip the special cycles (like sanitize), and load the machine correctly (for example, heavily soiled items at the back and 4% 2% 6 % sides). 7 Lighting 7% Electronics 4% Reduce lighting costs by 67% by using compact fluorescents instead of incandescent bulbs. They're less than $10 each but light like a 100-watt incandescent while using only 25 watts, taking less energy to do more. Compact fluorescents last 6-10 times as long as standards. Save even more by installing electronic photocell on-and-off switches and timers to turn lights off automatically. However, compact fluorescent bulbs do contain mercury and should be carefully disposed. For more info, visit www.lamprecycle.org for a listing of state departments that can give you local recycling info or check Earth911.org's zip code searchable directory. Your TVs, DVD player, VCR, and all the rest each contribute to your household energy tab. Running a computer and a monitor 24 hours a day (and many people do) uses some 1,100 kilowatt hours annually. If electricity in your area costs 8 cents per kilowatt hour, for example, that translates to $88 a year. Putting them on sleep mode could save more than 80 percent of that expense and cut CO2 emissions by up to 1,250 pounds a year, the EPA says. FACT S BASED O N 20 0 9 C ONSUMER REPORTS