As the price of energy rises, we need to make reductions in our energy usage just to keep our same bill amount. By making small changes in our daily lives (and turning them into habits) we can keep the bills as they were last year, or even reduce them. There are many small and easy ways to use less. Some of these tips will cost little or nothing except concentrating on making changes, and others will be good investments that will save energy for years to come. Change what you can now. Then make the investments into the future as time and resources permit. For instance, choosing an energy efficient appliance when you have to replace one anyway.

First Steps:

Heating and cooling account for more than half of the energy people used in the typical home each year, according to the US Department of Energy. So for the first step in energy reduction, look at these options:

Air Conditioner:

Set the thermostat to 78 degrees F, or higher in the summer - Each degree you increase your thermostat can reduce 6% - 8% off your cooling costs, according to Orlando Utilities Commission.

Set the fan switch on the thermostat to the "auto" position, instead of the "on" position when cooling. This allows the fan to run only when the unit needs to circulate cool air. This small change can save about $25 per month, according to Progress Energy.

Change your air filters monthly - Clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow and reduce the system's efficiency significantly. Clean filters can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% - 15%, according to the US Department of Energy. Changing your filter once a month will:

Reduce indoor air pollution - Indoor pollution levels can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels; changing your filter helps keep air cleaner.
Reduce energy bills - You'll save 1%-2% each month on those rising energy bills by changing that air filter.
Increase A/C efficiency - You'll get more relief on hot days by changing or cleaning your filter, since that'll lead to optimal A/C performance

Check your cooling system - "A well-maintained cooling system is the number one thing you can do for energy efficiency in the summer," according to Rozanne Weissman, spokesperson for the Alliance to Save Energy. Having the system and ductwork inspected and maintained is a cost effective way to ensure your system is working at it's most efficient.

Water Heater:

Set the thermostat to 120 degrees F. Some manufacturers have a default setting of 140 degrees F. For each 10 degrees reduction in water temperature, you can cut 3 % - 5 % in energy costs, according to the US Department of Energy.

Free Home Energy Audit:

Check with your energy company to schedule a free home energy audit. Most companies now offer this free service. They will send out a professional to access energy usage and suggest repairs and replacements that can save you a bundle. Many are small (and inexpensive) changes that can really add up. They will check the ducts in your attic to make sure there are no leaks, inspect the insulation to determine if it meets current building standards and examining the evaporator coils inside your air conditioner to see if they need cleaning, just to name a few. This is especially important if your home was built before 1980. According to Dean Skipper of the Orlando Utilities commission, Older homes typically use a lot of energy, since they were built when energy costs were inexpensive.

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