There are many good reasons to lower your energy use. Not only can you help save our precious natural resources, you also can save a great deal of money. If you are a propane user, you already use a highly efficient fuel to heat your home and run appliances, but here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your energy dollar.
It's probably not surprising that the largest chunk of our heating dollar goes to pay for cooling a home and heating it up. Your heater works hard to keep the home toasty warm during the cold months, and you can help it along with a few quick fixes. Replace an old thermostat with a programmable model that automatically adjusts based upon your schedule. The Department of Energy suggests that you keep the thermostat at 68 degrees when you are home and about 55 degrees at night or when you are gone. Also be sure that hot air isn't escaping through the doors and windows of your home. Proper insulation also keeps heat in the house.
Along those same lines, your air conditioner will work more efficiently if your windows, doors and ducts are sealed. Energy efficient windows also can lower cooling costs, and even installing good shades can reduce the amount of sunlight in your home, which makes it easier for the air conditioner to do its job. Sometimes there are federal tax credits available for upgrading to a more efficient air conditioner or heater.
The AC and the heater might take a ton of energy to use, but other appliances also take their toll. Newer appliances are more efficient, so when you can afford to upgrade, consider making a switch. Be sure to ask your salesperson if there are state credits or federal credits available for buying updated appliances. Only run your dishwasher when it is completely full and turn off the heated dry selection. Likewise, run only full loads of laundry and wash in cold water. If you can hang your laundry rather than using the dryer, consider doing this as much as possible, too.
Energy efficient light bulbs are expensive, but they last a long time and they truly can reduce your energy usage and costs. Think about upgrading light bulbs a few at a time, and you should see a big savings over time. In addition, be sure to unplug appliances such as the microwave or the coffee maker when not in use, as these continue to draw a small amount of power. If you hook up all of your electronics, such as TVs and DVD players to a power strip, you can simply switch off the power strip when the devices are not in use to save power. The same rule applies to your computer and also your printer.
In addition to making sure your home is sealed up tight, you can reduce your Pennsylvania propane costs and Ohio propane costs by pre-buying when the propane prices are very low. Usually the price-per-gallon is lowest during the hottest months of the year, and Thrifty Propane customers can pre-purchase all the propane they might need when the costs are down. While it's an upfront cost, it truly can save hundreds of dollars over the course of the year.
It's probably not surprising that the largest chunk of our heating dollar goes to pay for cooling a home and heating it up. Your heater works hard to keep the home toasty warm during the cold months, and you can help it along with a few quick fixes. Replace an old thermostat with a programmable model that automatically adjusts based upon your schedule. The Department of Energy suggests that you keep the thermostat at 68 degrees when you are home and about 55 degrees at night or when you are gone. Also be sure that hot air isn't escaping through the doors and windows of your home. Proper insulation also keeps heat in the house.
Along those same lines, your air conditioner will work more efficiently if your windows, doors and ducts are sealed. Energy efficient windows also can lower cooling costs, and even installing good shades can reduce the amount of sunlight in your home, which makes it easier for the air conditioner to do its job. Sometimes there are federal tax credits available for upgrading to a more efficient air conditioner or heater.
The AC and the heater might take a ton of energy to use, but other appliances also take their toll. Newer appliances are more efficient, so when you can afford to upgrade, consider making a switch. Be sure to ask your salesperson if there are state credits or federal credits available for buying updated appliances. Only run your dishwasher when it is completely full and turn off the heated dry selection. Likewise, run only full loads of laundry and wash in cold water. If you can hang your laundry rather than using the dryer, consider doing this as much as possible, too.
Energy efficient light bulbs are expensive, but they last a long time and they truly can reduce your energy usage and costs. Think about upgrading light bulbs a few at a time, and you should see a big savings over time. In addition, be sure to unplug appliances such as the microwave or the coffee maker when not in use, as these continue to draw a small amount of power. If you hook up all of your electronics, such as TVs and DVD players to a power strip, you can simply switch off the power strip when the devices are not in use to save power. The same rule applies to your computer and also your printer.
In addition to making sure your home is sealed up tight, you can reduce your Pennsylvania propane costs and Ohio propane costs by pre-buying when the propane prices are very low. Usually the price-per-gallon is lowest during the hottest months of the year, and Thrifty Propane customers can pre-purchase all the propane they might need when the costs are down. While it's an upfront cost, it truly can save hundreds of dollars over the course of the year.
About the Author:
Cath Buhr loves blogging reviews on propane retailers. For additional information about Dayton propane retailers or to find local Pittsburgh propane prices, please check out the Thrifty Propane website today.
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