It wasn't until I got my own apartment and realized how outrageous an electricity bill can be (for a one bedroom) that I began to understand. It's the little things in life that add up. Like when one person doesn't put their dishes in the dishwasher or one person doesn't wipe off the counter after making a mess. That one leads to another that leads to another and before long you have entirely filled up sink of dirty dishes and a countertop covered in ants and roaches. Ok, ok, so that's a bit extreme, but hopefully you get the point. Between lights, electronics and appliances, electricity accounts for almost 40 percent of the average home's energy use! But there are ways to cut back in each category without sacrificing and turning into an extremely anal live-by-candelight home owner.
By changing 10 bulbs and replacing three major appliances with energy-efficient models, you can save hundreds of dollars per year!
A survey in Consumer Reports reported "that many Americans are already taking advantage of those savings. Almost two-thirds have replaced incandescent lightbulbs with a CFL or LED. As for appliances, 34% have upgraded to an energy-efficient model. It doesn't make sense to pitch a perfectly good appliance or electronic item, but if you're in the market for a new one, the type you choose can make a big difference. (For example, side-by-side refrigerators use more energy than top-or-bottom-mounts, top loading washers use more electiricyt and water than front-loaders, and plasma TVs use more lectricity than LCD sets)
Easy, low-cost solutions: Plug electronics into power strips with built-in senors that automatically shut off devices that aren't in use. Set your computer to hibernate. Use LED or CFL lights in place of your old regular bulbs (More about this in our next blog). Turn off lights when you leave a room."
BY JENAE TANKERSLEY
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