Aug 18, 2008 6:50 pm US/Eastern
MoneySaver Report: Saving Cash On Utilities
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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The average American family spends over $1,900 on utilities each year, a good percentage of which is wasted electricity.
CBS
The average American family spends over $1,900 on utilities each year, a good percentage of which is wasted electricity.
However, there are simple energy-saving ideas that will put big money back into your pockets fast.
You're careful to turn your lights, television, and coffee maker off when you leave the room, but did you know that 75 percent of the electricity used to power these appliances is consumed when they're not in use? It's called standby mode.
"So if you were to unplug your computer and your printer when you turn them off, you could save about $30 a year," Sara Lyle, lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping magazine, said.
In fact, by 2010, the Department of Energy says 20 percent of each American's electricity bill will come from appliances on standby.
So to simplify things, experts say to plug similar sorts of electronics into one power strip with an on/off switch.
"And then get in the habit of turning off the power switch when you turn off your machines," Lyle said.
And replacing just five incandescent light bulbs with new, eco-friendly compact fluorescents can save you almost $35 a year.
"Your microwave is much more energy-efficient than an electric oven," Lyle said. "So if you use it to cook with more often, you cut your cooking costs by as much as 25 percent."
Turning on your oven light, instead of opening the door, keeps heat in and your electric or gas bill down. Also, if you do half as many dryer cycles a week, you can save about $30 a year.
Experts say you should also replace your showerhead with a new, energy-efficient model. This can save you over $100 a year and more than 7,000 gallons of water.
And here's something else that might surprise you: using your dishwasher actually uses less energy than washing dishes by hand.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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