Making the best use of resources and keeping ones family safe, secure and healthy are challenges that all families face.  As the holidays approach and the weather turns colder, the challenges in these areas multiply.  Many people question where the money will come from to pay the bills, and may feel overwhelmed about what can be done to help.  In this mix, often one of the costliest areas this time of year is utilities.  The good news is there are some simple, effective, often no cost things that can be done to save energy and money in one’s home.

One effective means of saving energy and money is to install a digital thermostat in your home.  They are not expensive, and once set can regulate the temperature 24 hours of day.  By setting the thermostat to 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter, you can save significantly.  For each degree you increase in the summer or decrease in the winter, it means a savings of 3% on the utility bill.

Another relatively inexpensive means to save energy and money is to switch the light bulbs throughout the house to compact fluorescent lights (CFL).  Each CFL bulb will last up to 10 times longer than regular bulbs and use up to 75% less electricity.  Replacing five incandescent bulbs in the home can save up to $150. 

When purchasing new appliances, always look for the Energy Star label.  This verifies that the product meets the high efficiency guidelines as set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy.  Read the Energy guide information with the appliance which will indicate the estimated use and cost of electricity to run that appliance.

When using a dishwasher, always make sure it is full before running.  Turn off  the heat dry setting and let the dishes air dry to save more electricity.  Turn the temperature down to 120 degrees on the hot water heater.  This saves energy and reduces the risk for burns from water that is too hot.  Check faucets for leaks and repair any that are found.  One drop per second can waste as much as 10 gallons a week. 

Turn off and UNPLUG electronic devices when not in use.  Printers, phone chargers, computer monitors use energy when left on and plugged in even when not being used.  Turn televisions off when no one is watching them.  A TV left on for 8 hours a day or while one sleeps will cost about $41-$102 per year.

There are many low, no-cost options for reducing energy use and costs.  For more ideas and information visit www.nyserda.org and www.heatsmartny.org.  Also, visit the websites for local power companies including www.nationalgridus.com and www.nyseg.com.