THE WASHINGTON POST
Whether replacing light bulbs or unplugging your unused cellphone charger, small changes can make a big impact on your electricity bill this summer and beyond.
Kristinn Leonhart, spokeswoman for the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, said the average home has about 30 light fixtures, together consuming more electricity than a home's washer and dryer, refrigerator and dishwasher combined.
And because regular incandescent light bulbs emit heat, she said, using more-energy-efficient bulbs in your home's most-used fixtures makes a significant difference.
"Replace them with more-energy-efficient bulbs, which use less energy and produce about 75 percent less heat," Leonhart said. "They're good for cooling bills." The two kinds of energy-efficient bulbs Energy Star certifies are compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED), both of which have longer life spans than conventional incandescent bulbs.
Another small change with major impact? Resetting the thermostat.
Cindy Olson, vice president of the green energy consulting firm Eco-Coach, said air conditioners are often left on when no one is home and set to temperatures lower than is necessary for comfort.
"It is something that is very personal," Olson said. "A lot of times, simply air movement is enough to be comfortable, even with just a ceiling fan."
Test how you and your family feel by adjusting the temperature up by one or two degrees at a time. Every degree of change, she said, can make a 2 percent difference on your utility bill. An air-conditioning system can account for 30 percent of an energy bill in the summer, according to power company data.
Updates in technology have made new central air systems, often with programmable thermostats, at least 15 percent more efficient than older models. If you aren't ready to replace your central air-conditioning unit altogether — the EPA suggests doing so if it is more than 10 years old — regular maintenance will ensure your unit is running as efficiently as it can. A dirty air filter, for example, can damage equipment and cause early breakdown.
"Dirt and neglect are bad," Leonhart said. "Check and clean your air filters every month, and change them, at a minimum, every three months." Other big energy hogs are unused appliances. Whether you're going on a summer vacation or not, unplug coffeemakers, toasters and hair dryers, or invest in power strips with energy-saving features.
Engergy-saving fluorescent bulbs can have a huge impact on cooling bills.
(Shutterstock photo)
"My computer charger was pulling a huge amount of energy," Olson said. "Unused appliances make up anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of your bill. It's not doing you any good to leave anything plugged in if you aren't using it."
Both Leonhart and Olson also stressed weatherizing your home. If it's drafty in the winter, Olson said, it's still going to be drafty in the summer, letting cool air escape unless cracks or doors are sealed properly.
And be sure to seal up heating and cooling ducts where air tends to leak, Leonhart said. Olson suggested having a professional inspect your home's heating and cooling system and make the repairs. Exposed ducts in crawl spaces, basements and attics are often fixed with duct sealants or metal tapes.
"People don't understand their energy bills," Olson said. "A few simple tips can make an incredible amount of difference."
Cost-saving tips
Here are cost-saving suggestions from the EPA and the Potomac Electric Power Co. (Pepco):
• Plant shade trees strategically around your home. Properly selected and planted shade trees can save up to $80 annually on the average electric bill.
• Reduce the temperature of your water heater. Setting it too high (140 degrees or higher, according to Energy Star) can waste anywhere from $36 to $61 annually.
• If you raise your thermostat setting by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower your cooling costs by up to 14 percent.
• As much as 20 percent of the air moving through your home's duct system is lost through leaks, holes and poor connections. A professional contractor can identify leaks and fix them.
More Resources:
• The U.S. Department of Energy provides a comprehensive list of state, local, federal and utility incentives for homeowners to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Visit www.dsireusa.org for more information.
• Energy Star's Home Yardstick is a tool that gives you a basic assessment of your home's energy use, compared with other homes in your neighborhood. Just plug in your Zip code, home's square footage and more to get your score. Visit www.energystar.gov for more information.
• FPL offers energy-saving information here: http://www.fpl.com/residential/energy_saving/resources_tips/bills.shtml
