By
Marshall Loeb, MarketWatch
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) - As another hot summer begins, the Department
of Energy offers many energy-sparing tips that can save you money
and help you to stay safe in the summer heat:
- Keep windows open and use portable or ceiling fans whenever
possible rather than constantly turning on your air conditioner.
- Close curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the
day.
- Program a thermostat with your AC so that it's warmer or
off when no one is home.
- Keep warm items, such as lamps or electronics, away from
your air conditioner or it will end up running longer.
- If you have an old air conditioner, it might be soaking up
a lot of energy. Newer models, which have an Energy Star logo,
can save up to 50% on your cooling bills.
- If your house or apartment gets more humid than hot, consider
buying a dehumidifier to use with a fan, in lieu of an air conditioner.
- Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent; they
require a lot less electricity to produce the same amount of
light.
- Air dry or hand dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's
drying cycle.
- Take showers instead of baths to cut hot-water use.
- Lower your hot-water heater's thermostat to 115 degrees.
- Wash clothes in cold water.
- Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
- Use your microwave rather than your conventional oven.
- Plug all electrical equipment -- such as TVs and DVD players
-- into power strips and turn them off when not in use.
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