Ten Ideas to Save You Money on Your Power Bill

Try these ten tips that will help make your houseControl your entire home through one control system.
energy efficient, saving you money and headaches.The new technology saves you money with improved
Saving energy at home is the first step in savingefficiency. Managing your home wisely should be a
money and doing your part to conserve the resourcesdaily goal. And lighting isn't the only thing that can be
of the planet.controlled centrally, how about heat and sound?
1. Upgrade Appliances6. Use Fluorescent Bulbs
Think you can't afford a new appliances? How aboutIncandescent bulbs are very inefficient and produce a
new lamps? New Energy Star rated appliances willlot of heat. The new compact fluorescent bulbs use
save you enough money over time that they will pay25% of the power that traditional incandescent bulbs
for themselves and more.Energy Star is a ratinguse. Just try different sizes to find the ones you are
system put out by the Department of Energy inhappy with to light your home. The compact
conjunction with the EPA. It is the yellow stickers onfluorescent bulbs also last longer than incandescent
new appliances that say " This Model Uses" it givesbulbs saving more money.
you a guideline of how much electricity the appliance7. Dim Lights
will use in a year.Dimming your lights can save as much as 10-50% of
2. Control Climate with Motorized Shadesyour home power. And dimming can extend the life of
You know the perfect time of day when the sun isn'tthe light bulbs by as much as 20 times. Some heat is
coming straight through your windows but there'slost by the dimmer but not enough to make it inefficint.
enough light outside to reduce having to use indoor8. Alternative Energy
lights. Use natural light whenever possible instead ofSolar panels on a south-facing roof can provide
turning on those energy-burning house lights. The truthenough electricity to power your entire house. Like the
is you don't have to have motorized shades just do itsolar powered lights there are many new designs to
manually, however, this take much more effort andkeep your home beautiful but also energy efficient.
after awhile you start to forget to open and close theYou might also look into wind power if you have the
shades in an efficient manner.site for a wind turbine.
3. Use Lighting Scenes or Group Control9. Variable Speed Air Handler
Ever wake up in the morning and find that you left theUsing a variable speed air handler is another wise use
bathroom or kitchen lights on or come home fromof energy. Air handler control the flow of air through
work and find you left the lights on? A lighting controlyour house keeping it cool or moving the heat around
system can control your house light in groups or all atwhere you want it. Solar powered attic vents keep the
once. Motion detectors on outdoor light also conservewhole house cooler by removing the heat from the
energy as well as being great security for the home.attic.
4. Solar Outdoor Lights10. Get Programmable Thermostats
Today's solar outdoor lights are very cost effectiveWhen you are at work during the day is there any
and come in many beautiful designs. You can use thereason to have the heat or AC turned on? A
sun to light your walkway or garden. You are sure toprogrammable thermostat can save you a bundle of
find ones that accent the look and feel of your housemoney by automatically controlling the temperature
and garden.where you want it to be comfortable and save
5. Monitor through Computerized Control Systemsmoney.