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Nine no-cost ways to reduce your home energy use

By Cher Seruto

Posted Thu Dec 27, 2007 2:34pm PST

Related topics: Heating-Cooling, House, Saving Money, Saving energy at home

More from Environmental Lovins blog

Cher Seruto is an analyst with the Built Environment Team at the Rocky Mountain Institute.

There's a crispness to the air, and winter is again upon us. Colder temperatures and longer nights bring more frequent indoor gatherings with family and friends. But, if you're anything like me, you're having trouble socializing because you're anticipating a spike in your energy bills.

The average American household spends about $1,900 annually on energy and also creates more than 26,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Collectively, residential energy use accounts for about 20 percent of the country's greenhouse gas emissions.

We all want to be warm this season, and we often don't mind the increased cost. In fact, some of us may view those increased energy costs in the winter as a necessary evil.

But what if you had some no-cost, quick and easy ways to reduce that energy bill while saving the environment and maintaining the same level of comfort?

Well, here you go.

The Rocky Mountain Institute recently compiled energy usage information for the typical American home. In the process, we found dozens of ways ordinary people can cost-effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions from their own homes.

These nine suggestions cost nothing and will save you money:

	CO₂ Saved (lbs/year)	$ Saved ($/year)
Lower water heater temperature to 120^°F	214	$12.12
Lower thermostat in winter by 2^°F	353	$19.04
Wash clothes in cold water	327	$18.58
Turn off unneeded lights	376	$21.04
Turn off home-office equipment	137	$7.68
Unplug extra fridge in garage	448	$25.04
Use energy-saving mode on appliances	769	$43.04
Increase AC thermostat by 3^°F	339	$18.90
Air dry clothes during summer	779	$43.60
TOTAL SAVED PER YEAR:	3,742	$209.04

Not only can these free tricks save the average household more than $200 a year in energy costs, but the carbon dioxide reductions are equivalent to taking 10 miles off of your daily commute.

So be a do-gooder this season and year round, keep your guests happy, and give your pocketbook a boost, too.

Also, stay tuned, because next week we'll provide further energy efficiency measures you can purchase for less than 20 bucks per ton of saved carbon.

Related topics: Heating-Cooling, House, Saving Money, Saving energy at home

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Showing 31 - 37 of 37 comments

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Posted by Eliot Tue Nov 11, 2008 2:57pm PST
When I was a kid, my parents turn the heat OFF at night when we went to bed. They also opened the windows so that we could have some fresh air. This was in the winter time in New England. My Dad would get up early, maybe at 5:30 and turn on the heat. Our heating bills were not terribly high. This was in the days before dryers, and my mother would always hang the clothes out to dry. They always had a fresh, line-dryed smell. When I was really young, she washed the clothes by hand in a deep sink with a scrubbing board. Probably had a low carbon footprint in those days.
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Posted by eyeswideopen Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:23pm PST
sharqbait - using compressed air storage via windturbines is a great idea, but how many of these facilities could realistically be built. Not many. One of my previous companies looked into using electric driven turbines to compress air into salt dome caverns at night (when power is cheap) and then run the turbines on air during the day to produce power when pricing and demand are higher. The economics didn't work. Wind would be better - but the wind only blows in certain areas usually far from load centers. Then again, why not add more gas and coal fired generation? It's the cheapest option out there.
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Posted by haveittodayray Sat Jan 10, 2009 12:50pm PST
There are all kinds of way to save on energy costs, the above are just a few. The real solution is to have a 2nd avenue of income, so you won't need to save. Simply visit 6figuresandmore.com and see for yourself. Conserve energy.
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Posted by Meran Sat Feb 7, 2009 3:28pm PST
Well let just say this tips are not for everyone....
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Posted by :] SMILE! Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:17am PDT
Our family has turned off night lights during the day, and turning off televisions when not watching them. Unplugging the toaster,coffee pot, and the cell phone chargers also help too. Also I have just plugged my laptops up until they are charged and then unplugged them from the wall. This saved about 110$ a month. :] I hope my information helped.
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Posted by auto3159 Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:11am PDT
Don't turn your a/c off during the day, it takes more energy to cool a hot home vs. a worm home. I have replaced all the light bulbs to compact fluorescent and put solar screens on all the double pane windows, unplugged all kitchen power robbers, installed a programmable thermostat, use ceiling fans in all rooms and installed a KVAR energy saver.My elect. bill last summer went from 275.00 down to 125.00 per month. This year I have installed a wind turbine and some solar panel's and so far have a 85.00 bill, not bad for a manufactured home in TEXAS.As for winters I like to keep the temp. around 65 at night and bundle up in bed. I use a solar window heater in 2 rooms which keeps the home warm during the day. As for clothing needs, the washer is on cold settings and hang them on a line outside when weather permits and use the dryer when needed. Going green is different for everybody ,keeping comfortable for 200.00 a year isn't a big deal, 16.00 a month shouldn't hurt . The whole theory behind green is , recycle, reuse, cut back, give back, use nature to help nature.
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Posted by Jon Sat Jul 11, 2009 3:23am PDT
Many responders are missing the point. Would you take $16 out of your pocket and flush it down the toilet once a month, every month, for the next 12 months? Anyone? Anyone? Well, that’s exactly what we’re talking about. The average home consumes about $2,000 per year on utilities. How much would you expect to save without investing any money? According to the article, a few minor behavioral changes can save you about $200 per year ($16.66 per month). Save $16 per month with no out of pocket cost. That's on outrageous return on investment - not going to get that return from a bank account. If $200 per year isn’t worth savings, then every month for the next year take $16.66 out of your pocket and flush in down the toilet.
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