Personal Finance - Cutting Back on Electricity and Gas Use

Wash clothes in cold water. The majority of electricity used for washing clothes is used to heat the water. Save hot-water washes for white towels, socks, and undergarments.
Wash only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. Nuke it. Heating a cup of water in the microwave uses less energy than using the cooker top. When you're boiling water on the stove, always keep the pot covered because water boils much faster. Or use a tea kettle. Don't boil more water than you actually need.
Keep indoor lights off during the daytime. Position your desk near a window for adequate lighting. Turn off your computer, printer, scanner, monitor, and any other office equipment at night. Even when they're turned off, a lot of devices use electricity. Plug devices into power strips that you can flip off easily.
Find out whether your local energy provider has off-peak hours when electricity use is less expensive. If so, do your laundry and run the dish-washer accordingly. Many power companies allow users to pro-rate their bills, paying a flat rate every month of the year instead of racking up really high energy bills in the heat of the summer and dead of winter. If the total energy use is higher or lower than the amount paid over the course of the year, the extra amount is charged or refunded accordingly the next year.
Put a timer on your water heater so it runs for only four hours each day during peak times (for morning showers, evening dishes, and bath times).
Use a programmable thermostat that you can set for different temperatures at different hours. This strategy costs a bit upfront, but you can quickly recoup any money spent by not overheating the house all day while the family is at work and school, or at night while everyone is sleeping.
If you have a heated waterbed, keep the bed made when you're not in it. The blankets and bedspread help to insulate it.
Older refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners are often inefficient and sometimes run constantly, needlessly draining electricity and money. Buying a newer appliance is often more economical than using an old one over a long period of time. But if you're planning to move soon and won't be taking the appliance with you, replacing it probably isn't worthwhile financially.
If you're in the market for a new major appliance, check the energy ratings. Purchasing a slightly more-expensive but energy-efficient refrigerator or washing machine can save you hundreds of dollars in energy bills over its life.
Refrigerators and freezers work better if they're full. Fill the empty spaces with clean milk jugs filled with water. Not only will your freezer run more efficiently, but the ice-filled jugs will keep your freezer cold during a power outage. You can also use the water for drinking in an emergency situation.
After appliances and heating, indoor and outdoor lighting is one of the biggest electricity users in an average home. By cutting down on the number of light bulbs turned on at any one time, you save substantially on your electric bills.
You can implement these easy tips for lighting-related savings:
If you have outdoor lighting for safety reasons, install motion detectors on the lights. Limit outside lighting to the minimum required for safety.
Replace frequently used light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. They're a bit more expensive to buy, but they often last up to ten times longer. Use sunlight for indoor lighting as much as possible.
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