Handy Woman Hints #3

21

MONEY AND ENERGY SAVING IDEAS THAT DON'T COST A DIME

1 Lower the indoor temperature a few degrees in winter. Set it even lower at night and a full 10 degrees when you're on vacation. You'll save 2% per degree.

2 Close the fireplace damper when the fireplace isn't in use. If it's never used, seal the flue with a plastic bag stuffed with insulation.

3 Open shades and blinds to let in sunlight during the day and close them to reduce heat loss at night. For cooling, reverse.

4 Close off unused rooms and lower the temperatures by adjusting the registers and dampers. You'll save 50.oo a year.

5 Clean your furnace's blower fan with a soft brush and vacuum cleaner.

6 Turn off lights not in use. Reduce bulb wattage and use dimmers when you can.

7 Ventilate and cool your home with window or whole house fans during the cooler hours of the day.

8 Fill clothes washers and dishwashers for more efficient energy use, rather than half full.

9 Skip the dishwasher's drying cycle and cut the energy use by half.

10 Wash clothes in cool rather than hot water.

11 Clean clothes washer and dryer lint screens after every use.

12 Clean refrigerator coils with a soft brush annually, or more often if you have pets that shed.

13 Run major appliances late in the evening or early in the morning when electric loads are less (off peak).

14 Flush your garbage disposer with cold water rather than hot. Grease solidifies in cold water and will wash away.

15 Cook more efficiently using microwaves, slow cookers and pressure cookers.

16 Turn off room air conditioners when you leave for an hour or more. You can quickly cool the room later.

17 Recycle. Reuse. Take your bike instead of your car.

18 In warm weather, set the thermostat higher (75-78 degrees) and rely more on ceiling and table fans for cooling, even when the air conditioner is running.

19 Reduce humidity in bathrooms and kitchens with exhaust fans.

20 Consider higher-efficiency appliances when purchasing new refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers. They will pay for the highest cost.

21 Lower hot water heaters setting to 120 degrees for both energy savings and safety.

Side note: I used a different picture last week with little success. I two comments on that guy. Today and in the future I will use the "Mascot". I is great for the eyes.