Energy-Saving Tips For The Home

(NAPSI)-Keeping your cool in the kitchen could save you some cash. A typical kitchen ventilation fan can pull out a houseful of cooled air in one hour. That can cause energy bills to rise. Try these energy- and money-saving tips from the Department of Energy (DOE):

Save Every Day

• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents.

• Use a microwave oven instead of a conventional oven.

• Use a power strip to control your electricity use. A large number of electrical products-from air conditioners to VCRs-can't be switched off completely without being unplugged. These products draw power 24 hours a day. Plugging them into a power strip to shut them off will save you money.

• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 115° and take showers instead of baths.

• Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.

Landscape For Efficiency

• The shelter from three trees, properly planted around a house can cut annual heating/cooling costs up to $250.

• Grown on trellises, vines and ivy can shade windows or the whole side of a house. Trees or shrubs can shade air-conditioning units.

AC, Appliances And Lighting

• Open windows and use fans instead of air conditioning. Use a fan to maximize and spread the cooled air from air conditioner units.

• Use a programmable thermostat with the AC to adjust the unit at night or when no one is home.

• Keep lamps and TVs away from the thermostat. The appliances' heat could cause the air conditioner to run longer.

• Replace five most frequently used lights with Energy Star bulbs and fixtures and save $60 a year.

According to the President's National Energy Policy, typical homeowners can save an estimated 30 percent (about $400) a year on their home energy bill by using Energy Star products.

Shade The Windows

• Install white shades, drapes or blinds to reflect heat. Close curtains on southwest-facing windows during the day. Sunny windows can make an air conditioner work three times harder.

• Replacing single- and double-paned windows with Energy Star qualified windows can save a significant amount of money on your energy bill over time.

Weatherize

• Caulking and weather stripping will help keep indoor air cool. If you see holes or separated joints in ducts, hire a professional to repair them.

• Add insulation around AC ducts in attics and crawl spaces. Also be sure the fireplace damper is securely closed.

• Consider investing in insulation for the whole house.

For over 100 energy-saving tips, visit the Energysavers.gov Web site or call 1-877-337-3463. For more information about energy efficiency and renewable energy, visit www.energysavers.gov.

A quick energy checklist could save you money.