Nearly half of residential energy is used for heating and cooling your home. Following heating and cooling (49%) the largest consumers of residential energy are water heating (13%), lighting (10%), electronics (7%), clothes washer and dryer (6%), refrigerator (5%), and dishwasher (2%). The remaining 8% of energy use is attributed to other energy uses in some homes like heating and pumps for hot tubs, swimming pools, and wells. There are some easy strategies that will help residential energy customers to reduce expenditures in some of the most significant areas.

To save on heating and cooling expenses, avoid resistive element electric heaters like space heaters, electric base board heaters, “heat strip” window units and central heating systems, or any other electric heater that is not based on heat pump technology. Compared to a typical air conditioning system, resistive electrical heaters are two to three times less efficient.

Utilize passive solar design principles. If you are building a new home consider your anticipated residential energy needs and place windows and skylights strategically to make use of sunlight and shade. For existing residences, install awnings or plant deciduous trees and shrubs in front of windows with western and southern exposures that gain too much heat in the summer. Use energy efficient windows for new construction. If replacing existing windows isn’t an option, you can obtain after market storm windows or construct your own from greenhouse polycarbonate or plastic wrap.

If you home was build prior to 1970, make sure that there is wall insulation and consider installing foam insulation if the walls are not adequately insulated. Residential energy can be conserved by insuring that there is at least 12 inches of attic insulation. If there is less than this amount then more should be blown in. Most home improvement store rent blowers and it can be done fairly inexpensively. A professional energy audit that includes an air infiltration and/or infrared heat loss test will determine where energy is being lost.

When the weather is nice, shut off the air conditioning and open the windows. A whole house ventilator can also help control residential energy costs by rapidly cooling off the attic after sunset. Make sure that the installation of a whole house ventilator does not contribute to air infiltration.

Address the large cost of water heating by wrapping your hot water heater in an inexpensive insulating blanket. Wash clothes with cold water whenever possible and use a water efficient dishwasher and washing machine. Install low flow shower heads to save even more on residential energy use.

Replace all incandescent and halogen bulbs with fluorescent bulbs for increased residential energy savings. Efficient bulbs require less energy and last longer. Outdoor lighting should be put on light sensors, timers or motion sensors. Open window shades during the day to reduce or remove the need for electric lighting.

Residential electronic use has doubled over the last three decades. Use power strips to cut down on phantom loads from computers, televisions, gaming systems and other home entertainment equipment. Unplug electronics when not in use or use stand by modes. Most LCD televisions require less energy than tube models but plasma screens require more energy.

If you decide to switch energy companies see if there is deregulation in your state. Shopping for electric prices