Avoiding the Summer Blues: 5 Energy Efficiency Tips that Won’t Cost You a Penny

By energy_linguist, June 25, 2009, Save Money

Summer is here, just in case the sweltering heat and sweat baths didn't clue you in. While energy efficiency and going green is a hot commodity these days, not enough information is being shared on how you can cut costs without actually spending money. Sure there are some great ways to save on your energy costs, but reality is simply changing a few habits can save you money without spending a dime.

Set your thermostat at a normal, consistent temperature. Blasting it at 68 degrees doesn't necessarily cool the home any quicker. I set it at around 75 and utilize curtains to shade and cool.
Check your air filters and system regularly, ensuring the efficiency of your AC and all parts are well maintained.
If leaving for extended periods of time, set the thermostat at 78-80 and use ceiling fans to circulate air.
As obvious and trivial as it may seem, I only use lights when spending extended periods of time in a room, and always shut them off when moving to other parts of the house. I also maximize natural lighting during the day, so all lights stay off for the most part while the sun is up.
Wash clothes and dishes with full loads only. Unless combating kids and particularly nasty stains, wash clothes in cold water and let dishes cycle then air dry versus heated drying.

These are of course not the end all, be all of energy efficiency tips. But these are common practice in my home, and for the record, my energy bill was a whopping $46 last month. Now, that's not to say it won't rise in June and July, but it's the little things that can add up quite quickly when it comes to your electricity bill.

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