We spent most of our waking hours at home in the living room and can save energy and money on our energy bills. Even when we are not using the living-room we can save energy. An average home in the US uses twice as much energy as it did in 1950.
No-cost EE tips
- In the fall/winter turn down the thermostat while you are sleeping and away from your homes.
- In In the spring/summer turn up the thermostat while sleeping or away.
- In the fall/winter use thermal isolation drapes closed at night and open during the day to let the sun in.
- Go with a recommendation to wear a sweater.
- Turn of electronics and lights when not in use.
- Move obstacles away from vents, ducts and registers.
Low-cost EE tips
- Replace bulbs with LEDs.
- Buy and use a programmable thermostat.
- Use a power strip for your electronic equipment that saves power when turned off.
- Buy or lease and use an energy star EE cable set box.
- An 50” Energy Star rated TV could run less than $17 per year to run See https://www.energystar.gov/products/most_efficient for a listing of the most efficient models.