Person A has no expendable cash for an alternative energy system, but would like to do her part in conserving energy. What can she do to lower her energy usage?

Lighting
Switch lights off when a room is not in use. Use the lowest wattage bulbs possible and use the least number of light fixtures to supply the minimal lighting levels for the required task.
One of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to reduce electric energy use and costs is to replace regular incandescent light bulbs with super-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). While CFLs cost more upfront, they last up to 8,000 hours — 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs — and use 66 percent less energy. CFLs are available at just about any hardware or retail store.
Purchase one fluorescent bulb on each trip to the store. Replace 10 bulbs and save $67 per year (based on a family of 4).

An average Southern Minnesota home uses 10,000 kWh of energy per year. By changing out 10 incandescents for 10 CFLs, you’ll save approximately 400 kWh of energy. That is the equivalent of saving more than 650 lbs of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere.

Appliances
Doing full wash loads in the dishwasher and clothes washer is more efficient than partial loads. Verify temperature settings of clothes washer water, refrigerators and freezers and adjust accordingly.
When considering new appliances, choose models designed to be the most energy efficient. This will save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The incremental cost for the higher efficiency appliances will be paid back in less than 3 years.
Go to www.aceee.org and click on Consumer Resources to see the online version of the “Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings” to see how name brand appliances compare.
Also see www.commerce.state.mn.us/ for easy-to-use online pamphlets comparing major appliances.

ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator models use 40% less energy than the conventional models sold in 2001.

Replace your fridge with an ENERGY STAR model and save 813 lbs of CO2 and 496 kWh/year.

ENERGY STAR clothes washers:

• Use 50% less energy per load than a model built to 2001 federal efficiency standards
• Use 35% to 50% less water than a standard washer
• Remove more water from clothes, which lowers drying time

Because they are more electrical-efficient, you’ll save 99 lbs CO2 and 60 kWh of energy per year.

Replace a less than 10 year old dishwasher with an ENERGY STAR dishwasher and save approximately 100 lbs CO2 and 61 kWh of energy per year.

Heating & Cooling
Home heating and cooling is the largest energy expense, typically accounting for about 45 percent of a household’s total energy use. Lowering the thermostat by just a few degrees in the winter and setting your air conditioner a couple of degrees higher in the summer can add up to real energy savings.

With each degree you turn down the heat, you save 1 percent on your utility bill daily. You’ll notice the savings on your very first monthly utility bill. Installing a programmable (set-back) thermostat allows the temperatures to adjust automatically — for example, while sleeping or at work.

As part of regular maintenance, have a heating and cooling technician tune and clean the furnace and air conditioner annually, prior to its seasonal use. Change the air filters monthly.

Decrease the amount of air leakage through windows, doors, and holes. Weather stripping, caulk, foam sealants, and window films are low-cost energy efficiency improvements to the home.

Go to www.aceee.org (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy). Click on Consumer Resources to see the online version of the “Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings” to see how name brand appliances compare.

Also see www.commerce.state.mn.us/ (Minnesota Dept. of Commerce) for easy-to-use online pamphlets comparing heating systems & cooling systems, and wood heat.

A furnace tune-up can save up to 600 lbs of CO2 per year.

Choosing a high-efficiency furnace over a medium-efficiency model can save you 6,290 lbs of CO2 over 5 years.

Conserve Hot Water
Cut energy use significantly by setting the water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees. Installing efficient low-flow shower heads and insulating the pipes can also conserve hot water.

Also consider the water requirements of appliances. Front-loading washing machines are much more efficient than top-loading machines. Washing clothes in preferably cold or warm water rather than hot is a big energy saver. Setting the cycle to cold instead of hot can cut energy consumption by more than half. Look for cold-water detergents and save a minimum of $50 per year (based on a family of 4).

Go to www.aceee.org (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy). Click on Consumer Resources to see the online version of the “Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings” to see a detailed comparison of water heaters.

Also see www.commerce.state.mn.us/ (Minnesota Dept. of Commerce) for an easy-to-use online pamphlet with water heater facts and tips for when to fix or buy new.

Savings when you replace a top-loading washer with a front-loading model:

Gas water heater: 3,301 lbs of CO2; 108 kWh and $334 over 5 years.

Electric water heater: 7,022 lbs CO2; 1,068 kWh and $603 over 5 years.

Savings when you use a cold/cold instead of a hot/hot cycle:

Gas water heater: 2,267 lbs of CO2 and $293 over 5 years.

Electric water heater: 6,636 lbs CO2; 1,045 kWh and $517 over 5 years.

Reduce Standby Power Waste
Many appliances — including televisions, DVD players and cell phone chargers — use electricity even when they are turned off. In fact, 25 percent of the energy a television uses is consumed when it is not on. The only way to be sure a device is not using power is to unplug it, or to plug it into a power strip, then switch that off.

An LCD TV uses less energy than a picture tube TV. Plasma TVs are less efficient because of the heat required to run the screen.

Drive Smarter
Some simple changes in driving habits can improve (decrease) vehicle fuel consumption. Plan ahead and combine errands into one trip. Make sure the tires are inflated properly. Observe the speed limit: A car’s fuel economy drops off at speeds above 60 mph. Replace the engine filters and have the engine tuned up to peak performance.

First National Bank does not endorse any product from these referenced web sites.

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