Energy Saving Tips

As summer approaches, we'll all be using even more energy to cool our homes. Here are some tips to help you cut back on your utility bills:

• Cook with your microwave whenever possible - it uses 65% LESS energy than your oven - not to mention that your oven heats up your kitchen! It's also a great time of year to use your grill...



• Close the drapes/blinds - Everyone (well, almost everyone) loves natural light...but leaving curtains & blinds open during the heat of the day can make your room/house about 10 - 15 degrees hotter - which makes your a/c run harder & longer - costing you big bucks. Early morning and evening sunlight is great and can light a room for free without heating up your home.



• Wait to put leftovers away - your fridge has to work harder to cool down warm food - wasting energy! So, let leftovers sit on the counter and cool down a bit before putting them in the fridge. Set a timer for about 25 to 30 minutes so you won't forget....leaving it out for too long can promote bacterial growth. I usually left leftovers sit in the storage container while I finish cleaning the kitchen from dinner....when I'm done cleaning, the food is cool enough to store for a later meal!


• Fill up your freezer - a freezer expends extra energy to chill all unused space! If you don't have your freezer filled with stock-piled food, fill it up with bags of ice or empty containers of water (which will become ice, duh). I sometimes use these "space fillers" in the bottom of a cooler.


• Doing some landscaping this year? Plant some deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves) on the south and west sides of your home - these will block the sun in the summer, but let the sun warm up your home in the winter!


• Save on water - After the kids take a bath, don't drain the tub right away! Fill up a plastic watering can and water your potted plants and garden vegetables. FREE water and the plants love slightly soapy water (natural insect repellent).