Costly Energy Habits No One Considers

Let’s face it, we all have bad habits that we just can’t shake. However, when you see the amount of money your energy wasting habits could be costing you…you may change your mind.

1. Standing in front of the fridge, contemplating your choices…with the door open

• According to Home Energy Magazine, opening and closing your refrigerator door accounts for 7% of its total energy usage
• Being careless with your refrigerator door throughout the year wastes the amount of energy that it takes to run your dishwasher 20 times (The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida)

2. Sleeping with the TV on

• According to Clearly Energy, if you sleep with ONE TV on in your house, it could cost you $55.00 a year…which is equal to 5.5 months payment of your Netflix subscription, or a nice dinner.

3. Buying incandescent lightbulbs (aka, the wasteful ones)

• Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) use 70% less electricity than incandescent bulbs
• CFLs have an 8,000hr lifetime vs the 1,200hr lifetime of incandescent lightbulbs
• Total operational costs over 23 years: CFLs $48.00; incandescent $201.00 (The Simple Dollar)

4. Not Programming your Programmable Thermostat

• The U.S. Department of Energy states that you could save 10% a year on heating and cooling if you adjust your thermostat 7°- 8°F for 8 hours a day

This summer, try setting your thermostat to 78°F when you are not home, or when you are sleeping.

5. Washing Partially Full Loads of Laundry and Dishes

• It costs you about $180.00 per year to run your dishwasher every day. Cut this number in half by running it every other day
• It costs you about $105.00 a year to do laundry three times a week. This includes washing and drying your clothes…save it for once a week, and pay about $35.00 a year to wash and dry your clothes

We want to help! Contact one of our energy advisors to get your home efficiency screened, and individualized tips on how to save.