Just read an article from The Nest during my lunch break and thought I'd share some great energy/$ saving tips!
**Even when turned off, electronics use a small amount of electricity, known as “phantom power,” that can add up over time. Unplug any appliances, chargers, adapters and gadgets when not in use. To make it easier to conserve, plug your biggest energy eaters into a power strip and simply flip the switch when you’re not using them -- you could save as much as $110 a year.
**If you keep your coffee warmer on so your second (or third) cup of coffee is nice and hot, you might as well spend the dough on a Venti at Starbucks. Believe it or not, keeping your coffeepot on can cost you around $35 annually, which may not strike you as a huge number, but remember, it’s just one of your many appliances. Use the microwave to heat up your leftover java, or brew one cup at a time.
**Use the hibernate, sleep or standby function on your computer every time you run out for lunch or head to a meeting. Putting your computer to sleep (instead of just relying on the screen saver, which, by the way, doesn’t use less energy) after several minutes of inactivity can save you between $25 and $75 a year.
**A dirty air filter means your heating and cooling system has to work harder to keep your house warm or cool. At a minimum, change your filter every three months. During the winter and summer months when we tend to crank up the heat and AC, dirt and dust can build up much faster, so check it at least once a month.
**Most of the energy your washing machine uses is to heat the water, so using cold water to wash your clothes can help slash your energy usage. Worried your whites won’t get white enough? Many brands, like Tide Coldwater, have started making special detergents designed especially to get out stains and smells using cold water. Get Tide coupons by signing up HERE.
Bonus: Clean the lint trap every time you run the dryer. If the lint trap is, well, full of lint, the machine has to work harder (read: use more energy) to dry your clothes.
**Run your dishwasher (or washing machine) only when it’s completely full to avoid wasting water and energy (it takes a ton of energy to heat the water to clean your clothes and dishes).
**A slow cooker is way more energy-efficient than an oven or a stove, which means it costs less to operate and your energy bill will go down. Plus, it’s a great way to make hearty, flavor-filled meals while you’re at work. There are great slow cooker recipes out thre, just google them!
**Dirty coils don’t transfer heat as effectively, so your fridge has to use more energy to run. A regular dusting will keep your food fresher and your energy costs down.
**Even when turned off, electronics use a small amount of electricity, known as “phantom power,” that can add up over time. Unplug any appliances, chargers, adapters and gadgets when not in use. To make it easier to conserve, plug your biggest energy eaters into a power strip and simply flip the switch when you’re not using them -- you could save as much as $110 a year.
**If you keep your coffee warmer on so your second (or third) cup of coffee is nice and hot, you might as well spend the dough on a Venti at Starbucks. Believe it or not, keeping your coffeepot on can cost you around $35 annually, which may not strike you as a huge number, but remember, it’s just one of your many appliances. Use the microwave to heat up your leftover java, or brew one cup at a time.
**Use the hibernate, sleep or standby function on your computer every time you run out for lunch or head to a meeting. Putting your computer to sleep (instead of just relying on the screen saver, which, by the way, doesn’t use less energy) after several minutes of inactivity can save you between $25 and $75 a year.
**A dirty air filter means your heating and cooling system has to work harder to keep your house warm or cool. At a minimum, change your filter every three months. During the winter and summer months when we tend to crank up the heat and AC, dirt and dust can build up much faster, so check it at least once a month.
**Most of the energy your washing machine uses is to heat the water, so using cold water to wash your clothes can help slash your energy usage. Worried your whites won’t get white enough? Many brands, like Tide Coldwater, have started making special detergents designed especially to get out stains and smells using cold water. Get Tide coupons by signing up HERE.
Bonus: Clean the lint trap every time you run the dryer. If the lint trap is, well, full of lint, the machine has to work harder (read: use more energy) to dry your clothes.
**Run your dishwasher (or washing machine) only when it’s completely full to avoid wasting water and energy (it takes a ton of energy to heat the water to clean your clothes and dishes).
**A slow cooker is way more energy-efficient than an oven or a stove, which means it costs less to operate and your energy bill will go down. Plus, it’s a great way to make hearty, flavor-filled meals while you’re at work. There are great slow cooker recipes out thre, just google them!
**Dirty coils don’t transfer heat as effectively, so your fridge has to use more energy to run. A regular dusting will keep your food fresher and your energy costs down.
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