Slash your electric bill in 6 easy steps 

Spending lots to save pennies makes very little sense, but if you’re already in the market for a new appliance, consider the Web as your first line of defense in energy-savings. 

Perhaps you weren’t so Eco-conscious until that glaring electric bill landed in your mailbox. It’s time to become mindful of the green in your wallet and save energy at the same time. 

Start by simply unplugging unused appliances, lowering the temperature on your electric water heater to 120 degrees F, and washing only full loads of dishes and air drying them. 

At the same time take a look at the free online calculators to get customized tips for improving your home’s energy efficiency at Home Energy Saver, a Web site sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). 

Spending hundreds to save pennies generally doesn’t make sense, but if you’re already in the market for a new appliance, or even light bulbs, consider the Web your first energy-savings tool. 

Think Climate Control

A typical household uses the bulk of its energy for heating and cooling—up to 44% of your utility bill, according to the DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). 

Install a programmable thermostat. This can reduce energy wasted while heating or cooling a house when no one is home or everyone’s asleep. 

According to the Home Energy Saver site, Energy Star programmable thermostats can save as much as 20% to 30% on your heating or cooling costs by allowing for multiple daily settings and automatically adjusting when the outside temperature changes. Participating manufacturers include Honeywell, Hunter Fan and Smart Systems International. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to search for programmable thermostats by Energy Star status. Instead, keep an eye out for those with features typical of the Energy Star thermostats: temperature recovery systems, two programs and four temperature settings. 

Think Ceiling fans

When you move the air, you tend to feel cooler. This allows for higher summertime thermostat settings. According to EREN, the effect is equivalent to lowering the air temperature by about 4° F (2° C), and using less energy than air conditioners in doing so.  

Think Lighting, Cooking and other Appliances

The next-biggest household energy use after climate control is for lighting, cooking and other appliances. Not counting the fridge, these make up about 33% of a typical utility bill. 

Think Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s)

CFL’s will use up to 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and will last up to 10 times longer, according to Home Energy Saver. This is very good, because they’re also more expensive to start with.  

Check your local utility for ideas. Look for a free “Conservation Kit”, containing among other things, two CFL’s. This, of course, is a terrific deal! 

Think Energy-efficient Appliances

Use the Energy Star site as a starting point to search for Maytag washing machines. Look for the Atlantis MAV9600 high-efficiency model for $689 at Best Maytag.  

Among household appliances, the refrigerator is likely your biggest energy consumer, especially if it’s more than 15 years old. It can account for up to 9% of your energy costs alone. Again, look to the Energy Star site for a list of energy-efficient models if you’re looking to replace yours. 

Hot Water Heating

Heating water is the third-biggest home-energy cost and typically accounts for 14%-20% of your total energy bill. 

Think Hot Water Jackets

Hot water jackets usually sell for $10 to $20, and shipping charges for buying them online can easily increase their cost by 50% or more. Use the Web to find offline deals in this case.  

Think Aerating, Low-flow Faucets and Showerheads

Both Niagara and AM Conservation models popped up on a variety of environmental sites, including EnergyGuide, which also had the best price for the four-way adjustable Niagara showerhead at $6.75. The nice thing about ordering from EnergyGuide is that it automatically searches for any rebates based on the ZIP code you enter.  

When you’re considering buying a new home, you can plan for energy savings from the ground up with an energy-efficient homebuilding project. Check the DOE’s Building America and the EPA sites to find projects near you.