TexasInsider Reports
Memorial Day weekend is a good time to make sure you are prepared for the hot summer months so you can save money on your electric bills. Want to save some dollars & stretch your summer expenses further? Heres your Weekend Energy Saving Checklist:
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Take advantage of this weekends Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday - where Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes when they purchase certain energy efficient appliances. |
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Set your thermostat at 78 when you are home and 85 degrees when you are away. Each degree cooler or warmer will increase your energy use by 6 to 8. |
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Clean or replace air conditioner filter and coils or have your air conditioning unit serviced to cut 15 of cooling costs. And make sure to turn your system off if you leave for the entire weekend. |
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Eliminate wasted energy. Turn off your lights when you leave the room. And sit down with your kids and challenge them to do the same. |
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Unplug or recycle that spare refrigerator in the garage if you dont truly need it this extra appliance adds 10-25 to your electric bill. Or take advantage of the sales tax holiday to replace it with a more efficient model. |
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Install a programmable thermostat. It can save up to $160 per year and pays for itself in 6-9 months. |
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Replace two (or more if you can) incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs which use one-fourth the energy and last up to seven times longer. 90 of the energy used by incandescent bulbs produces heat not light. |
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In the morning close your blinds and drapes so the house stays darker and thus cooler. |
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Seal cracks gaps leaks and add insulation to save up to 20 on home cooling costs. |
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Find or download your past summer electric bills and make a 2010 summer goal to use less kilowatts and save money! |
