by Diggle

Created on: February 02, 2010   Last Updated: February 03, 2010

The cost of energy is having an increasing impact on on all of us. And with the likelihood of future attempts to lower the use of carbon based energy sources through regulation and taxes, energy is only likely to become more expensive. But with a few simple actions you can reduce your energy use, saving you money.

Follow these simple actions to make some easy savings on your energy bill without having to make any major lifestyle changes.

Number 1 - Turn your thermostat down a little in winter and your A/C a little warmer in summer.

Reducing your room temperature by a couple of degrees Fahrenheit won’t be noticeable, but it could save up to 10% from your heating bill. Ditto with your A/C in the summer if you live somewhere hot.

Number 2 - Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.

You house will lose a lot of its heat through the windows. To make your curtains even more effective, put thermal linings in them.

Number 3 - Turn off the lights when you leave a room.

Most of us have a habit of leaving lots of lights on in the years that energy has been dirt-cheap. But turning off lights that aren't being used, especially with incandescent bulbs can save quite a bit.

Number 4 - Defrost your fridge and freezer often routinely t

This will keep them running at top efficiency and mean they use much less energy. A frosted up freezer will need more electricity to keep the food frozen. If your fridge or freezer frost up frequently, check that the door seals are working properly.

Number 5 - Use energy saving compact fluorescent bulbs.

These bulbs use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. You can expect to save around $30 for every standard bulb you replace over the bulb’s lifetime.

Number 6 - Have a shower instead of a bath.

You’ll be just as clean, you'll save time and you’ll use far less energy and water.

Number 7 - Don’t leave appliances on standby or on charge unnecessarily.

Appliances on standby still consume lots of electricity. An average set of appliances on standby doing nothing useful can consume almost a quarter of what they would switched on. Some consume almost as much electricity in standby as they do when you're using them. If you can, turn off appliances at the socket, or unplug them when they aren’t being used. Over time, powering your microwave’s clock can use more power than heating your food!

Number 8 - A dripping hot water tap wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath in a week

So fix any you have and make sure they’re fully turned off! Otherwise you'll be paying for all that hot water to flow straight into the sewer

Number 9 - Use the half-load or economy programme on your washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher if you’re only putting in a partial load.

By following these tips the average household can save quite a bit of money on their energy bills, which can be spent on something better than padding your utility's profits.

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