Cut energy, make home efficient with easy steps

By Sandy Shore - Associated Press

Web Posted: 05/08/2009 12:00 CDT

Comments(0)

RSS

On the Web

DENVER — Despite the recession, consumers have even more incentive to take control over those budget-busting energy bills this summer.

Homeowners can take advantage of federal, state and municipal government tax credits and utility rebates.

You can spend nothing or tens of thousands of dollars.

First, find out where most of your energy dollars go to determine where your biggest savings lie. There are several Web site calculators that can do the job, or you can hire a professional.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

FREE OF CHARGE

Cold-water laundry — Savings: At least $40 a year if you have an electric water heater and $30 a year if you use natural gas. Time to recoup cost: none.

Air-dry dishes — Savings: Estimated to cut a dishwasher's energy use by nearly 50 percent. Time to recoup cost: none.

Faucet, showerhead and pipe repairs — Savings: A leak of a drip per second can cost as much as $1 per month. Time to recoup cost: none.

Adjust Thermostat — Savings: Up to 5 percent in energy costs by raising the thermostat a degree or two in the summer. Time to recoup cost: none.

1 | 2 | 3

Show full article

RSS

Buzz it