Here are some great ideas to help get you started and immediately begin saving on your electric bill.

• Turn off lights when you leave the room.
• Switch from incandescent lamps to compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) or light emitting diode (LED) lamps. A 60 watt incandescent lamp running 8 hours a day at 10¢ per kWh will cost you $17.52 per year and will only last 1000 hours. By contrast, an LED will cost you $2.34 per year and last 50,000 hours.
• Consider replacing older model AC/heating units. Newer units use up to 40% less energy.
• Replace air and furnace filters at least every 3 months. Check them even more often.
• Wash the outside coils of your AC. Clear away high grass, leaves and any other debris that could block the flow of air.
• Add trees and shrubs on the east, west, and south sides of your home to keep it insulated naturally.
• Set your computer and monitor to sleep when idle for more than a few minutes.
• Don’t use screen savers. They prevent computers and monitors from going into power-saver mode.
• Make sure the dryer air vent outside your house is properly sealed.
• When buying a new appliance, look for ENERGY STAR qualified products. These options use 10-50% less energy than standard models.
• Drain your hot water tank regularly to remove sediment.
• If buying a new water heater, consider a tankless or a heat pump unit.
• Weatherize doors and windows by using caulk and replacing weather stripping.