Efficient Home Energy - Cut Down Your Energy Bills

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In our homes, we rely on electricity to power our lights, appliances, and electronics and to provide our homes with hot water, heat, and air conditioning. As we use more electricity in our homes, our electric bills rise. In these tough times, any energy saving tips would be of great help in cutting down expenses and energy bills.

In my search on ways to save energy, I found Microsoft Hohm. It is a beta application that uses the advanced analytics licensed from Lawrence Berkeley Labs as well as the home energy simulation calculator devised by the Department of Energy, and incorporates over 200 variables in its estimations. I signed up for a FREE account and with just a few clicks, I started to learn many ways on how to reduce my home energy and save on my energy bills. It provided me suggestions and energy-saving habits to improve my home’s energy efficiency based on my current home profile.

There are several ways to reduce electricity use in your home and save on energy bills. You can reduce it by aiming your attention on how you use electricity in your home appliances and electronics, lighting, electric space heating and cooling systems, and electric water heater. If you wish to learn how you can reduce your home energy usage and start saving today, sign up with Hohm and they will provide you with a home energy report and Energy saving recommendations tailored to your home for free.

Home Appliances and Electronics
Use Energy-Efficient Appliances and Home Electronics. Look for the ENERGY STAR® and EnergyGuide labels when buying appliances and home electronics. Products with ENERGY STAR meet the strict energy efficiency criteria established by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EnergyGuide labels provide an estimate of the product's energy consumption or energy efficiency and show the highest and lowest energy consumption or efficiency estimates of similar appliance models.

Lighting
You can reduce your use of lighting energy by using energy-efficient products and taking advantage of the natural lights from the windows and skylights. If you are using incandescent bulbs, replace them with either compact fluorescent light (CFL) or LED lighting. Fluorescent and LED lamps last several times longer than ordinary incandescent bulbs, which save you the time and expense of replacing bulbs when they burn out.

Electric space heating and cooling
When looking for ways to save energy in your home, be sure to use energy-efficient electric systems and operate them efficiently. Incorporate passive solar design concepts into your home and properly insulate and air seal your home. Windows that are tightly constructed and filled with insulating gases can make a big contribution to your home's energy efficiency and reduce your heating and cooling bill. You may also use an energy-efficient heating system that does not utilize electricity.

Electric water heating
Lower the temperature setting on your water heater. Lowering the temperature setting of your water heater reduces water heating costs. You can save between 3%–5% in energy costs for every 10ºF reduction in water temperature. For even more savings, turn the thermostat down to the lowest setting or completely turn off the water heater if you plan to be out for at least 3 days. Refer to your water heater owner's manual for instructions on how to operate the thermostat before making any changes.

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