22 Ways to Save on Your Energy Bill

Want to save the planet and some money at the same time? Here's a list of things you can do to cut your monthly energy bill down to size.

1. Switch to Compact Fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs use 1/4 the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs and last six times longer. They also give off much less heat than incandescent bulbs, thus keeping your home cooler in the summer.

2. Avoid "phantom power" by unplugging electronics when not in use. You can plug them into a power strip with an on/off switch to make this easy. Phantom power can add up to about 10 percent of your home's energy use, or about one month of your electricity use each year. 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off.

3. Install a programmable thermostat. It will help you automatically regulate your energy usage, which will save you about $150 annually. Programmable thermostats are also a plus for the environment because they contain no mercury and are eco-friendly.

4. If you have an electric water heater, switch to natural gas. Electric water heaters use twice as much energy).

5. Replace your old appliances with Energy Star appliances. Efficiency levels of Energy Star appliances are 20 to 75 percent higher than older models.

6. Use your microwave instead of your conventional oven. Microwaves are much more electricity efficient. A conventional oven uses a lot of energy to heat up and to stay hot.

7. Use caulking and weather-striping around all doors and windows. Heat and cold that finds it way into your home means you have to use more air conditioning and heating.

8. Once a month, change your air conditioner's filters. This helps save your unit from working as hard and also keeps the air in your home cleaner.

9. Lower the temperature of your water heater, and wrap it in an insulating blanket. Most heaters are set at 140 degrees F, 120 will do just fine. When using an insulating blanket, just be sure not to block exhaust vents, air intakes and thermostat access panels. And, newer water heaters may not need an insulation wrap; check the manufacturer's instructions.

10. Have your air conditioner cleaned and inspected. This will help your air conditioner to run more efficiently during the summer. Dirty condensor coils can cause your A/C to blow out less cool air, and it will cause your A/C to work harder to cool your home.

11. Wash your clothes in cold water using cold water detergents whenever possible. Laundry detergents, not the water temperature, whiten your clothes.

12. Operate your dishwasher with a full load and select an energy-saving cycle whenever possible. Use the “air dry” or “overnight dry” setting.

13. Replace your old computer monitor with a new flat panel. Flat panel monitors use less energy than standard monitors.

14. Use your laptop instead of a desktop computer. Laptops use 10 percent or less of the electricity consumed by typical desktop computers.

15. Most fireplaces that are open to the living space will increase winter heating costs. Do not use a fireplace during periods of extreme cold. Keep your fireplace damper closed tightly when not in use. Consider installing doors over the fireplace opening to cut down on drafts and heat loss through the chimney.

16. One of the easiest things to do is get yourself into the habit of turning off appliances and lights that aren't in use. This seems obvious, but take an inventory of your house one night. Are the kids leaving the lights on even when they aren't in the room? Is someone taking off to run errands while the television continues playing in the living room?

17. Keep your doors and vents shut in rooms that are not being used. There is no need to spend money cooling off rooms that are not being used – this can be a huge savings depending on how many square feet you have in your house.

18. Replace windows with double-pane glass that has a low U-factor. The lower the U-factor, the less transmission of heat or cold and the greater your savings on energy costs.

19. Your local power company probably has a "Time of Use" program. This means you'll be charged more for electricity during prime times and less during off hours. When you switch to this program, the power company will install a new meter. You may be able to save as much as $500 a year with this idea.

20. Install a clothesline and use the suns warmth to dry your clothes. Your clothes will last longer and smell fresh. Best of all, it's free!

21. Use ceiling fans. Moving air tends to feel cooler, allowing for higher summertime thermostat settings. The effect is equivalent to lowering the air temperature by about 4 F (2 C), and using less energy than air conditioners in doing so.

22. Let the sun shine in. During winter time, try to let in as much sunlight as possible. It will reduce the need for heaters.