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Save Some Green — and Go Green

Paying your monthly energy bill can be expensive, especially when your house isn't as energy-efficient as it should be. Making improvements to your home — and your lifestyle – can save you money each month.

Pull the plug

Save a few dollars on your energy bill each month by shutting off and unplugging appliances in your home that aren’t in use. Cell phone chargers, computers, and kitchen appliances, for example, use a lot of electricity when plugged into an outlet − even when they aren’t being used. And if your appliances are plugged into a surge protector, you can simply turn that off to save energy.

ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances

If you’re in the market for a new appliance, look for products that have received the ENERGY STAR. When you buy an ENERGY STAR-approved appliance, the benefits pile up. Your monthly energy bills may decrease, and some products may also qualify for a rebate and/or tax credit. So, while you’re saving yourself some money, you’re also helping to save the environment.

Lighting tips

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent light bulbs in your home can save on energy costs. In fact, according to HowStuffWorks.com, fluorescent lights bulbs are 4 to 6 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs. Keep in mind that fluorescent bulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs, but they save you more money over time. And, don’t forget to turn off lights in your home when you aren’t using them.

Home energy audit

A home energy audit can help you identify the parts of your home that use the most energy. You can perform an energy audit yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you. Once your home energy audit has helped you identify the problem areas in your home, you can take steps to improve those areas, and save money on your next monthly energy bill.

Visit EnergyStar.gov for more information on ways to save.

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