by Rhyno

Created on: June 05, 2008   Last Updated: June 11, 2008

Small actions can have large benefits; for example, these twelve easy, around the house, energy saving tips are guaranteed to save you money on your next electricity bill:

1 - FLICK OFF the light when you leave a room! It makes a big difference, especially if everyone in your household participates.

2 - Replace your lightbulbs with more energy efficient ones. Modern CFL (compact fluorescent bulbs) use up to 75% less energy and produce 75% less heat than conventional bulbs.

3 - Switch to cold-water laundry detergent. A great energy saving innovation that can even save you money at some laundromats.

4 - Hand wash dishes rather than relying exclusively on the dishwasher. Eliminating even one dishwasher load a week can make a significant difference in energy consumption.

5 - Turn your AC (or furnace) down a notch; a proven energy saving method.

6 - Check your seals. Small cracks and holes around windows and doors have a huge impact on your heating and cooling bills.

7 - Turn down the temperature control in your freezer (trust me, it will still freeze stuff).

8 - Get involved in some outdoor activities. Go outside rather than spending hours and hours glued to computer and televison screens.

9 - Barbeque! If you have an electric stove, barbequing with propane, charcoal, or natural gas can reduce your electricity bill. You can also cook at the fire-pit for some family fun.

10 - Unplug your DVD players and VCR's when you aren't using them (The same thing goes for any other electronics that have that annoying little red light ).

11 - Charge your cellphone in the car. Every little bit counts and it all adds up.

12 - Use conventional telephones instead of cordless ones that need to be plugged into electrical outlets. This is a good way to keep your phone calls more private and secure as you contribute to a lower electricity bill.

Here are some energy wasters to avoid that can inflate your bills:

1 - Leaving the fridge or freezer open for prolonged periods of time

2 - Using small pots and pans on the larger stove-top burners

3 - Leaving Christmas lights (and on) up year-round

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