10 Quick and Immediate Tips to Save on Energy Bills

Energy is a very basic and important part of life, yet the way we receive and use certain sort of energy can be costly. There are a few tips and tricks that you can start doing immediately to save on energy bills with little to no cost.

1. Water Heater  - Turn the temperature down on your water heater if possible to around 125 but no lower. Our readers have pointed out that At temperatures below that, it is possible for Legionaire's Disease to grow within water heaters. To prevent that do lower your water heater, just not past 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Freezer/Fridge - Change the thermostat on the freezer and fridge if possible. Set the temperature to the lowest number possible while still keeping the food's integrity. 
3. Thermostat -Winter: Lower the thermostat while out of the house and sleeping. Having it higher is simply wasting energy. This especially helps if you have a programmable thermostat to automatically change temperatures a specific times. Summer: Utilize fans to circulate cooler air around the room. If you must use an air conditioner, keep the thermostat around 75. Any lower is unnecessary.
4. Washer/Dryer - Shorten the amount of time your washer runs and/or cut the cycle short. Your clothes get clean faster than amount of the time the washer runs for. Use cold water instead of warm or hot water as well. Also, whenever possible, air dry your clothes. This can be done with drying racks indoors or outdoors on a clothesline. 
5. Shower - Cut down on all of the wasted time in the shower. Get in quickly, and get out quickly. Just don't neglect hygiene
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7. Devices - unplug all devices that aren't currently in use such as TV's, DVD players, stereos, etc. Also, shut down computers after use rather than leaving them on to drain energy. 
8. Lights - This may seem obvious, but sometimes people simply forget. Turn off all non-essential lights in your home, especially if you own incandescent light bulbs. They are essentially mini-heaters than emit light. This equals a waste of money if left on for little reason. 
9. Drafts - Check every corner of your of your home to make sure that your climate controlled environment isn't being compromised. Make sure there are no cracks or openings allowing your cold or warm air to escape. Check your insulation and seals on doors. 
10. Cooking - Cooking tends to heat up a home. Use this to your advantage during the winter, but be wary during the summer. Open the oven less, cover boiling pots to trap heat in, and use the vent when possible. You can get creative with this.