14.Secrets of People with Low Energy Bills

跟上邻居可以是令人沮丧的nd fruitless pursuit…but what if those enviable neighbors are saving money, supporting a cleaner environment, and reducing their dependence on costly imported oil? Wouldn’t you want to get in on the game too? Well, the good news is, all this is easier than you think. Simply adopting a few energy-efficient practices in your own home can make a huge difference in your monthly utility bills. Heck, it might even make the Joneses want to keep up with you! Here are a few tips on how other homeowners manage to keep down their energy expenses.

他们知道他们的用法

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家庭能源审计

在您的家庭能源使用情况下掌握句柄的最佳方式是安排家庭能源审计。审计可以帮助您确定您使用的能量,确定您可能会失去能量的问题,并计划energy-savingimprovements. You can find a professional energy auditor in your area by consulting either RESNET or the Building Performance Institute. If you prefer to go the DIY route, you can perform your own energy assessment with the help of this handy逐步指南从美国能源部。


有关:1小时的家居能源审计每月可以节省资金

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They Use the Right Apps

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智能手机能源应用程序

征收您的智能手机in the quest to become more energy efficient. There are many apps out there that track your energy usage and make recommendations to improve your efficiency. Most of these apps are available free or for a small fee, and can help you determine where you can generate effective节约能源

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他们使用他们的窗户

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Save Energy with Windows

如果您没有利用您的窗户来提高家庭能源效率,您就会缺少一个大机会。在冬季,在当天保持阴影,百叶窗和窗帘,让阳光下放,提供自然温暖和光线。来日落,紧紧靠近窗户覆盖物,以尽量减少热量损失。如果您的窗户更旧,效率较低,您可能需要考虑为冬季安装重型帷幔keep warm indoor air from escaping


有关:9节能的家庭升级为自己支付

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他们编程他们的恒温器

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Programmable Thermostat

If you don’t have a可编程恒温器, it may be time to make the investment. These clever devices allow you to set the temperature to rise or lower automatically according to your work and sleep schedule. When no one is home, lower the thermostat in winter and raise it in summer so you're not paying to heat and cool an empty house. Program the thermostat correctly, and it will reward you with a savings of 10 percent or more on your heating bills.

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他们关闭了空白

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在窗户和门上的填缝差距

查找并密封窗户周围的任何空气泄漏,门和廉价的填缝,喷雾泡沫和挡风雨条。关闭裂缝和差距可以减少加热和冷却成本,并将您的家更舒适,draft-free environment。您还应该检查并在烟囱周围留下任何泄漏或间隙;在管道,导管或电气布线通过外墙的任何区域;凹陷灯周围;以及浴室,厨房和烘干机附近。


有关:23件辉煌的黑客帮助你冬天

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They Bundle Up

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Wear Warm Clothes to Save Heating Costs

Put on a sweater. Seriously, there are many reasons why winter fashion magazines are filled with models wearing sweaters. Not only do they look great and camouflage any winter weight gain, sweaters keep you warm. Layering your clothes—say, a long-sleeve T-shirt under a mid-weight sweater topped by a fleece-lined jacket or vest—will keep you warm on the最冷的日子。As a bonus, wearing a sweater allows you to turn down the thermostat but still remain comfortable. In your quest for cozy warmth, you may also want to check out fleece-lined jeans and fuzzy wool socks.

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They Dry Strategically

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Dry Clothes for Heat

不要忽视显而易见:干燥机是一个巨大的热源。烘干机不仅擦干衣服,而且还将大量的热量放入房间里。选择做你的洗衣服在您实际上需要在早上需要热火的时候或从工作中下班回家时。过夜运行干燥器是浪费的热量,因为你已经在床上舒适和温暖。


有关:8个无忧无虑的洗衣房的8个低成本升级

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They Insulate

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绝缘收到较低的能源票据

Heat rises, and when it does you better hope your attic is properly insulated to keep all that warmth from escaping your home. The Department of Energy advises that a properly insulated attic can reduce your energy bills by 10 to 50 percent. Considerinsulationas your first defense against energy loss. It reduces airflow and prevents drafts that suck warm air out of a home. There are many types of insulation, including loose fill, batt, fiberglass blankets, and cotton. Do your research to determine which type of insulation will be best for your home and how much you'll need for your climate and house type.

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They Reverse Their Fans

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Reverse Fan for Warm Air

Most people think ofceiling fans仅作为温暖的天气精华,用于冷却热室,改善空气循环。然而,大多数天花板风扇都采用可逆电机,可以设定在冬季推动温暖的空气,从而提高房间的整体舒适度。在冬天,设置吊扇,使刀片转向“向前”或顺时针方向,以将天花板捕获的温热空气推入房间并改善整体空气分布。通过选择能源明星认证的吊扇来节省更多信息,比传统模型更有效地高达50%。


有关:6.Overlooked Ways to Warm Up a Chilly Room

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They Skip the Fire

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Fireplace Heating Bills

It might seem counterintuitive, but because your壁炉烟道吸出一个房间和烟囱的加热空气,使用你的壁炉实际上会花费你的供暖费用。如果您想要享受火,请投资绝缘钢化玻璃门,让您享受温暖的光芒而不会亏本。在不使用时保持壁炉烟囱阻尼器紧闭,并考虑安装充气的“烟囱气球”以保持冷空气和暖空气。

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They Use Motion Sensors

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Motion Sensor Lights

更换你的manual light switches with motion-sensor versions so lights will automatically turn off when no one is in a room. Sensors are especially effective in bathrooms and children’s rooms, where lights are often left on by accident, resulting in wasted electricity. While you’re replacing the switches, consider swapping out energy-guzzling incandescent灯泡for efficient, long-lasting LED versions.


有关:15."Under $100" Lighting Solutions for Every Room

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他们使用电源条

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动力条省钱

你可能不相信吸血鬼,但你的房子可能有几个潜伏。“吸血鬼”是任何电子设备,即使在切换到“关闭”位置时也可以从电源插座中汲取电力。您可以通过堵塞您的家庭娱乐和播放这些吸血鬼home officeequipment into a power strip. When your gadgets are switched off, turn off the power strip to stop them from sucking more energy. When shopping for a power strip, look for one that includes a surge protector to shield sensitive components from damage during storms or power outages.

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They Service Their System

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Routine Home Maintenance

确保您的加热和冷却系统通过调度定期常规维护来保持峰值效率。更换你的furnace每月至少过滤一次,并将热水器温度设定为“温暖”设置,或120度,以获得最高效率。


有关:9偷偷摸摸的方式来削减你的家庭暖气票据

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他们支付他们使用的东西

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支付能源

许多家庭注册所谓的“预算计划”,当地公用事业公司将在12个月内展开供暖票据的成本。但如果你选择预算结算,您可能会向您的电力公司提供无息贷款,因为该公司正在向您收取估计而非实际使用情况。如果您对能源使用的节俭,请随着您的需求支付更具成本效益,因此您只需为您实际使用的能量收取。

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不要错过!

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Your home is most likely your largest investment. Home insurance is a valuable way to protect the investment, but could you save money on your home insurance policy?阅读我们的最高提示,了解如何保障您的财产,同时省钱