Senator Amy Klobuchar

Working for the People of Minnesota

State Fair

2008 State Fair Featured Initiative: Energy Savings

Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Energy

1. Buy Efficient Appliances - Savings: $50-$100/year

There's no sticker shock for electricity costs, even though most appliances cost more to operate than to buy. You can avoid budget pains in the future by comparison shopping for energy efficiency. At very least, look for the federal government's Energy Star label. To go further and find the most efficient appliances, visit www.energystar.gov. Savings on your next new dishwasher, television, or oven could be up to 40 percent. For the biggest bang for your buck, target your fridge. Refrigerators and freezers account for about a quarter of an average household's electricity use. If your old fridge is loud or has leaky seals, you might be able to get a new one with the same capacity and features that only uses one third as much energy. Just remember to dispose of your old unit properly.

2. Change the Thermostat - Savings: $30-$140/year

Heating and cooling your home takes a lot of energy, and a lot of money. But small changes can make big cuts in your heating bill. For instance, every degree of heating above 68° costs you about 3 percent more. So, turn down the heat a degree or two in the winter and up a degree or two in the summer. These changes are free and can save you big money. For even more savings, install a programmable thermostat that will turn down the heat at night or when you are gone for the day.

3. Insulate Your Attic & Seal Your Home's Leaks - Savings: $70-$250/year

The more warm air escaping through a leaky attic, the more the furnace burns your gas and your cash. You can stop the leaks in two simple steps: 1) Seal your attic bypasses (the tubes that take warm, moist air to your attic). This keeps warm air in your home and stops the moisture in the air from damaging the attic insulation. 2) Add more attic insulation, ideally at an insulation value of R-38. It's normal for homes to have cracks around doors and windows, but these leaks are like holes in your wallet. Luckily, it is cheap and easy to seal them up with weather stripping, caulk, caulking cord and window film. Ask your local hardware store for the supplies.

4. Unplug Idle Appliances - Savings: $18-$108/year

Cell phone chargers, TV's and other home electronics continue to draw power even if they are "off." All those idle appliances can be a big drain on your budget. If you don't use an appliance every day, unplug it or put it on a power strip with an on/off switch. Similarly, shut down your computer when you're not using it - it's a big energy hog.

5. Get a Low-Flow Showerhead - Savings: $10-$30/year

How can you cut two bills with just one switch? Get a new showerhead. Showers eat up a big chunk of both your energy and water bills. A family of five can use 64,000 gallons of water a year for showers, if they have a typical showerhead that runs 5 gallons per minute. All new showerheads use 2.5 gallons per minute or less, so you can cut 32,000 gallons of water a year in one fell swoop. And that will trim two bills at once.

6. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs - Savings: $3-$50/year

Ordinary incandescent light bulbs haven't changed much since Thomas Edison invented them in 1879. Almost 130 years later, they are still only 10 percent efficient! You can boost your lighting efficiency three to four times simply by switching to a compact fluorescent bulb. One switch can save you between $3 and $15 per year. Also, fluorescents can last up to 10,000 hours, which means less time spent changing them and fewer trips to the hardware store.

7. Turn down your water heater - Savings: $10-$25/year

Most Americans enjoy having hot water at the ready, but that means your water heater is working 24/7 - an expensive job. You can give the water heater a break by lowering the thermostat to 120° or 125°F. Your water will still be plenty hot for your morning shower, but your gas bill will be a little easier to handle.

8. Do the Laundry with Cold Water - Savings: $50-$150/year

Get your clothes clean for one-tenth the cost! Since 90 percent of the energy used to machine wash clothes goes to heating the water, using cold water can save you 90 cents on the dollar. Your detergent should still work in cold water, except on the heaviest stains.

9. Service Your Furnace - Savings: $10-$25/year

You count on your furnace to keep you warm, but it can often be out of sight, out of mind, and in need of a little attention. So call in a professional to inspect your furnace and make sure it is running at maximum efficiency. After that, make sure to change your furnace filters every month. (Your water heater and air conditioner would appreciate regular TLC as well).

10. Get Utility Rebates - Savings: $40-$200/appliance

The State of Minnesota requires your utility company to provide both information and rebates to help you achieve energy efficiency. Call your utility and request a home energy audit, which will help you choose the best ways to cut energy costs. Even better, you could get a rebate of over $200 on your purchase of an efficient boiler or furnace. For a list of the utility companies in Minnesota that offer the most extensive rebate programs, visit www.mnenergychallenge.org.

Senator Klobuchar has...

Co-Sponsored the 2007 Energy Bill, which reduces energy demand by:

  • Requiring a seven-fold increase in the production of homegrown fuels by 2022
  • Requiring a 40 percent increase in average vehicle fuel efficiency by 2020
  • Requires the phase-in of energy efficient light-bulbs
  • Creating higher efficiency standards for appliances
  • Providing incentives for high-performance, energy-efficient buildings

Co-Sponsored the Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer Act, which would:

  • Provide additional funds for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 (LIHEAP Program)
  • Provide an average annual grant of $305 to low-income households

Voted for Renewable Energy Tax Credits (S.3125, S.3335, H.R.6049), which would:

  • Extend through 2014 the tax credit for residential energy efficient property
  • Increase the credit for solar power installations to $4,000
  • Provide a 30 percent credit for residential wind and geothermal heat pumps
  • Allow employees to exclude bicycle commuting expenses from gross income
  • Extend tax credits for energy efficient dish and clothes washers and refrigerators

Led a bi-partisan group of 13 Senators calling for increased funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP):

  • Drafted a letter with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and 11 other Senators urging the Senate Appropriations Committee to increase funding for WAP
  • The U.S. Department of Energy found that 16.9 million households are both eligible for weatherization services and would be good candidates for the services
  • According to the National Association for State Community Services Programs, for every dollar spent, WAP returns $2.72 in energy and non-energy benefits over the life of the weatherized home

References

Leon, Warren. 2001. "Eleven Easy Things You Can Do to Save Energy and Money at Home." The Northeast Sun. The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association.

Minnesota Department of Commerce. 2007. "Attic Bypasses." Available at: http://www.dhcr.state.ny.us/general/training/07GreenStandards4.pdf

Minnesota Department of Commerce. 2000. "Top 10 consumer tips for reducing heating bills." Available at: http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/common/content/include/contentitem.jsp?contentid=536901493

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Senator Klobuchar’s Offices

302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main Line: 202-224-3244
Main Fax: 202-228-2186
Toll Free: 1-888-224-9043

1200 Washington Avenue South, Suite 250
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Main Line: 612-727-5220
Main Fax: 612-727-5223
Toll Free: 1-888-224-9043

1134 7th Street NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Main Line: 507-288-5321
Fax: 507-288-2922

121 4th Street South
Moorhead, MN 56560
Main Line: 218-287-2219
Fax: 218-287-2930

Olcott Plaza, Suite 105
820 9th Street North
Virginia, MN 55792
Main Line: 218-741-9690
Fax: 218-741-3692