Energy Department Offers Eco-Friendly Energy Saving Tips to Help Consumers Save on Costs

In a recent posting from the Department of Energy, the agency has offered some tips and ideas to help consumers save money by reducing their home energy usage and related costs. Top of the list among their recommendations is the use of Energy Star rated appliance.

As the DOE pointed out, the majority of people think that it takes large investments in alternative energy for the home such as solar panels, wind power or solar water heaters to go green and save on energy costs. However, the truth is that smaller changes can make a big difference on your annual energy bill.

The Department of Energy stated that home appliances including things like refrigerators, microwaves, and dishwashers, plus larger energy users like your air conditioners and water heaters can make up over half of the $2,200 than a typical American family spends in energy costs per year.

Individuals with older appliances can save as much as 30 percent of the electricity used by these appliances by changing the out for newer Energy Star rated ones. When possible, over time, individuals should consider the replacement of their appliances as they age, especially when it comes to water heaters and air conditioning units which combined typically account for over ½ of a home’s energy consumption.

A smaller and less expensive change that should be considered related to energy-efficient light bulbs. But instead of changing every light in the home, first identify the ones used most often and for longer periods of time. Changing the light in a closet which is only used a few times a week for a few minutes will not pay for itself well. However a light in the family room or kitchen which is used daily for several hours will save quite a bit over the course of the year. The DOE estimates that replacing the 5 most often used lights in the home with energy-efficient bulbs like compact fluorescents could save $65 per year in energy costs.