Saving Energy Is Easy | With Pragmatism and Common Sense

by Frederick
(Los Angeles, California)

About five years ago after paying relatively high gas and electric bills for years, I decided to take a pro-active approach to saving energy.

First, I got rid of my 20 year old electricity sucking refrigerator that was adding more than thirty dollars a month to my electric bill and replaced it with an Energy Star rated refrigerator.

I also got rid of my room air conditioners and replaced them with several electric fans throughout the house. I also purchased some heat reflecting and insulating honeycomb shades for my living room windows.

I started educating myself on the very basics of how my water heater works. You would be surprised how easy saving energy with a little knowledge of water heaters. First, I tried to monitor my habits, like how many times a week I use hot water to wash dishes, take a shower, etc.

After performing some trial and error, I decided I could significantly reduce the hot water temperature and still be comfortable taking warm showers. In the end I was able to lower the thermostat on my water heater by 15 degrees. Now I live in Southern California, so I’m not too sure this could be done everywhere and still be comfortable.

I even would turn the temperature setting all the way down after a shower and turn it on only when I was washing clothes or dishes. I know for some this sounds like a hassle to run back and forth to the water heater, but I personally don’t mind it at the cost of saving energy.