2013 is just a few days away. The turn of the New Year is time to think about major life changes you’d like to make in the following 365 days. Beyond losing weight and being a better friend, we have a few energy-efficient New Year’s resolutions to suggest.
Change your air filter – It’s not an energy-efficient list without a mention of regularly changing your air filters. This practice is that important. During the peak heating and cooling months, change your filter once a month. In addition, check your filter every two weeks during the summer months. And if you own a pet, check your filter every two weeks no matter what the season. A clean air filter keeps your air conditioning unit running efficiently.
Use a programmable thermostat – Just about every new AC unit installed by a local AC company now comes with a programmable thermostat – so use it! It takes just a few minutes to properly program the thermostat to help you keep your AC or heater from running at all hours of the day and night. Energy Star says proper programming of a thermostat can save a family $180 a year in energy costs.
Turn off the lights – When you leave a room, turn off the lights. Simple, right? Unfortunately we all forget to do it from time to time. If you’re a parent, talk to your kids about this as well. Get them involved. Make a game out of it. Let them keep track of when mom and dad forget to turn off the lights, and give them an incentive to turn the lights off when they leave a room. You might be amazed at how quickly they become interested in helping you save energy and money.
Use CFL or LED bulbs – Speaking of lights, make the switch to energy-efficient CFL or LED light bulbs. These bulbs will last longer, and changing out just one of them will save you $30 over the lifespan of the bulb.
