10 Low-Cost Tips for Saving Energy

Start saving energy with these low-cost tips.

We all like to save money, and using your energy more efficiently is a great way to do it. You can save energy and money by making some small changes to your home and habits.

Blain’s Farm & Fleet is here to help you make your home, car, and wallet a little greener with these energy-saving tips.

1. Install a programmable thermostat in your home.

This will help you manage your heating and cooling system more efficiently. You can save money by programming your heater and air conditioner to only run while you’re home.

By not heating or cooling your house the entire time you’re away at work, you can save a bundle on your heating bill.

2. Plug home electronics into power strips, and turn them off when no one’s using those devices.

When no one’s in the family room, switch the power strip that’s powering your entertainment center off. TVs, media players, and game consoles can all use several watts of electricity, even in standby mode.

While you’re at it, you might as well turn the lights off in that room if no one’s in there. This is one of those proactive energy-saving tips that can pay off big time if you stick to it.

3. Install a low-flow shower head.

This can save you gallons of water every year and lower your water bill. You can nearly double this by taking shorter showers, as well.

Plus, your water heater won’t have to work as hard, as you won’t need as much hot water.

4. Buy only Energy Star-rated light bulbs, home appliances, and electronics.

These devices meet the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for energy efficiency. They give you the most bang for your buck.

You don’t have to replace everything in your house with an Energy Star-labeled appliance at once. But consider it the next time you’re replacing a TV or light bulb.

5. Install window insulator kits on the windows in your home.

This is one of the most overlooked energy-saving tips. Even if you have top-quality windows, you could be losing warm or cool air through air leaks in your windows.

Window insulator kits keep in the warm air in the winter and the cool air in the summer.

6. Use a clothesline to air dry your clothes when it’s sunny out.

Save the wattage eaten up by your dryer on those beautiful, summer days. Plus, it gets you outside to enjoy the sun. And there’s nothing quite so fresh-smelling and soft as clothes that have been air dried.

7. Use a dish towel or dish rack to dry your dishes instead of the dry cycle on your dishwasher.

Skipping this one cycle can save you lots of money on your electric bill. Yes, it’s another one of those energy-saving tips that will require a little extra effort from you, but your wallet will thank you.

8. Regularly use fuel system cleaner in your car or truck.

Over time, carbon deposits build up in your car or truck’s engine and fuel system. These deposits can keep your engine from running its best and most efficiently.

Adding a bottle of fuel system cleaner to your fuel tank with every oil change can break up the deposits. This will give you better fuel mileage.

Getting in the habit of following this and the next two energy-saving tips will turn your car or truck into a lean, green, money-saving machine.

9. Clean or replace the air filter in your car or truck.

Just like the buildup on your engine, the dirt and grime that your air filter catches can build up. This can reduce the airflow to your engine. This also hurts your fuel mileage.

If you have a washable air filter, you can use an air filter cleaning kit to clean and re-use it. Speaking of which, those washable air filters are also high-flow models that will boost your engine’s power and fuel mileage.

10. Use a tire pressure gauge and air compressor to keep your car or truck’s tires properly inflated.

Believe it or not, an under-inflated tire can cost you. Not only will it wear out faster, but it decreases your fuel mileage. This is because the tire flexes more and absorbs more of the energy your engine is producing before it can get to the road.

Use the pressure gauge to check the air pressure on all of your tires at least once per week. They should all match the pressure listed on the sticker inside your driver’s-side door frame.

For more tips on lowering energy costs, check out our Electrical Blog.