Energy consumption per capita is dropping. Are you doing all you can to save?

Studies show that Americans have bought more energy-efficient light bulbs (81% of you have bought at least one), bought more Energy Star rated appliances (44% of you have looked for the Energy Star label), and made energy saving home improvements to your homes (43% have caulked windows and doors).

Now that wasn't so difficult, was it?

You know you are still leaving some money out there. Here are 6 more very simple things you can do to save even more.

Program your thermostat. A programmable thermostat, when set correctly, can save you up to 20% on your heating and cooling bill. Simply adjusting the temperature by 4-7 degrees at night or when you're not home will do the trick.

Don't have a programmable thermostat? You can get one for about $80 - and some utility companies offer rebates. You can even get one that you can run off your smart phone.

Annual savings - $200.

- Fix leaky ducts. Have a qualified hvac company seal and insulate your heating and cooling ducts that run through, over, and under your home.

Annual savings - $400.

- Adjust your tv. Did you know that television manufacturers often ship televisions in the 'retail mode' to ensure the best picture quality under their showroom's bright lights? Switch your set to the 'home more' which is more efficient and is fine for most types of home viewing.

Annual savings - $30 to $60

Stop pre-rinsing your dishes. Washing dishes before you put them into your dishwasher to wash them (again) wastes up to 6,000 gallons of water a year, plus the cost to heat that water.

It's un-necessary. Your dishwasher with the dishwashing soap you use was designed to clean dirty dishes.

Annual savings - $75

- Lower your hidden energy use. Between 5 and 10 percent of your electrical use goes to devices that draw power when they are off, or in the stand-by mode. Major offender? Your children's video games.

Annual savings - $125

- Wash clothes in cold water. New detergents now make it possible to get clothes clean using cold water thus dispelling the 'it won't get clean if I don't wash it in hot water' myth.

Annual savings $60.

There you are. Almost $1000 dollars of savings a year, often times for doing less work.

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