Here are a few ways you can cut down on energy costs and help reduce our dependency on foreign oil.
- Tune-up your car’s engine. Getting an engine tune-up can save 6¢ to 60¢ a gallon, replacing a clogged air filter can save up to 15¢ a gallon.
- Properly inflate your car’s tires. Keeping your tires properly inflated can save up to 5¢ a gallon.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Using a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature by 10 degrees for eight hours every night can lower your heating bills by 10%.
- Install more attic insulation. Upgrading from three inches to 12 inches of attic insulation can cut heating costs by 20%, and cooling costs by 10%.
- Install a water-saving showerhead. A family of four, each taking a five-minute shower a day, can save $250 a year in water heating costs by switching to a low-flow showerhead.
- Take showers, not baths. Taking a five-minute shower will use about 7.5 gallons of hot water, while filling a bathtub can use up to 20 gallons.
- Use compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs use 75% less energy than typical incandescents and they last 10 times longer.
- Dust light fixtures regularly. A heavy coat of dust can block up to 50% of the light output.
- Consider an electric lawnmower. They’re less expensive to operate (about three cents of electricity per use), 75% quieter and they significantly reduce toxic emissions.
