The conveniences of energy that we use at home is often taken for granted. We are able to flip a switch and turn on a light, use our computer, and even heat our water all without thinking about it. Yet we pay for that convenience as well each time we receive our energy bills. While we all love to have power, the heat to keep up warm, and we welcome the air conditioning on the cold days, we don't like to pay those bills. Yet we do because the thought of having to live without those luxuries isn't something we want to face as a reality.



It is important to understand using all of this energy depletes the Earth of natural resources that can't be replaced. The more you work to reduce your energy bills, the more money you will save. You will also be saving this valuable resource for future generations to enjoy.

Reducing your energy bills doesn't mean you have to do without the various conveniences you enjoy though. Many of them require minimal time and a very small investment. You can coat your roof to help prevent energy from escaping while you are attempting to heat or cool your home.

If you have an attic, you need it to be well ventilated. This will help to keep your home cool during the warmer times of the year. You also want it to be properly insulated to keep the heat in your home during the cold part of the year. The door to your attic needs to have weather stripping around it as well.

Take the time to look over your home for any types of drafts where energy can be escaping. Common areas include around the doors, vents, a fireplace, and the windows. The air in your home constantly moves but keeping the temperature of the air constant will reduce the amount of energy you consume. When air is coming in from these areas it affects the overall temperature of the room and you will use more energy.

Changing the numbers on the thermostat by a degree or two can save you at least 5% on your energy bills. You shouldn't feel too uncomfortable with such a slight change in the temperature. It is easy to dress lighter or to dress warmer in order to stay comfortable while in your home. You should keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower while you are sleeping.

Having sufficient hot water to clean your dishes and to take showers is essential, but you can still cut back on the amount of energy you use to operate your hot water heater. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water and you will reduce the amount of energy used per load by up to 90%. Only operate your dishwasher when it is completely full.

Take a look around your local hardware store and you will find plenty of materials that you can use in your home to reduce the amount of energy you use. While it can be expensive to replace the windows in your home, you can buy stripping and other materials to prevent the outside temperature from affecting the air temperature inside.

You would think it is common sense for people to turn off items they aren't using, but many of them get left on. Make sure you double check the lights, TV, stereo, heater or air conditioner, and other items before you leave your house. Children need to get into the habit of turning off these items as well when they leave the room. Only charge cell phones and other electronic items until they have a full charge. Leaving them plugged in over night just wastes energy and increases your bill.

There are plenty of small changes you can make at home in order to conserve energy. None of them mean you have to give up convenience in order to save money on your energy bills. If each household was more conservative about the amount of energy they consume, there would be a high volume of this natural resource left untouched.