如果你的钱包每次收到你的水电费账单时都在呼救，那就是个问题了。31% of Americans努力支付水电费，最终削减食品和药品等必需品。
Fortunately, there are better solutions to reduce your bills that don’t compromise your well-being. Reducing energy consumption is simple once you know how.
Take a look at ten ways you can lower both your energy use and your utility bills.
1正确地洗衣服
The main source of your washing machine’s energy consumption comes from heating the water. Washing your clothes in cold water instead can reduce energy consumption quite a bit.
你也应该养成测量衣物量的习惯。你可能习惯于尽可能多地倾倒衣服，但这不是最好的主意。
Although your washing machine can probably handle large loads, your dryer can’t–this makes you waste more energy by using the dryer twice.
2. Change Your Lightbulbs
Your home or apartment might be equipped with several incandescent bulbs. These bulbs use more electricity than newer energy efficient bulbs.
Halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) actually use25-80% less energythan typical incandescent bulbs.
To save even more energy, consider installing dimmer switches. Using the dimmer on its lowest setting can help you reduce your costs. Don’t forget to turn the lights off when you leave the room as well.
3. Get a Heat Pump
Heat pumps can function as both a heater and an air conditioner. It keeps your home cool using a minimal amount of electricity and can heat your home as well. Installing a heat pump is perfect if you live in an area where the temperature fluctuates from hot to cold.
By using a heat pump, you’ll see significant savings on your heating bills. Check out this article for更多信息about the benefits of heat pumps.
4使用高效的电源板
Did you know that some electronics still consume energy even when they’re turned off? TVs, video game consoles, and desktop computers are just some of the electronics that could be secretly raising your electricity bill.
Instead of shutting off your electronics, you need to make sure they’re not wasting any electricity. You can do this by unplugging them, or by shutting off the power strip that they’re connected to.
另一方面,你也可以考虑purchasing energy efficient power strips. These power strips automatically cut off the power to electronics that aren’t being used, and can finally let you save on your electric bill.
5. Consider Energy-Saving Windows
Having the wrong type of windows can instantly spike your heating and cooling bills. Windows that aren’t energy-efficient can let out the precious heat and conditioned air that you paid for.
Using double-pane windows can prevent heat from escaping. Windows with low-e coatings also help to reduce the loss of heat and cold air.
6封住你的家
冷暖空气不只是从窗户里跑出来的。它甚至可以从你的门窗和通风口的缝隙中滑出。一定要把这些漏洞封好，这样你就不会再浪费钱在昂贵的取暖费和制冷费上了。
为了密封你的房子，你可以使用填缝料或挡风雨条。在不可移动的区域放置嵌缝，例如墙和窗框之间的空间。挡风雨条可用于可移动区域的裂缝，如门窗。
It’s also common for air to leak out from light fixtures, ducts, or doors and into your attic. Since hot air rises, it can find a way through these cracks and seep upwards. Make sure to properly seal off your attic so no extra heat can escape.
7. Use Appliances During Off-Peak Times
Many utility companies actually give you a discount if you use power during off-peak times that start around 8:00 pm. You may have to adjust when you do your laundry or wash your dishes, but it’s worth it.
打电话给你的公用事业公司，看看他们是否在一天中的特定时间提供电力折扣。如果你想知道如何节省电费，这是一个很好的方法。
8. Wash Dishes Properly
You probably wouldn’t think the way you wash your dishes can result in reduced energy consumption. But it’s true–your dishwashing routine can impact your utility bills.
The first step inmaking your dishwasher environmentally-friendlyis to use a rinse aid. This chemical allows dishes to dry on their own without having the dishwasher use heat to dry it for you.
Simply stop the dishwasher once it starts drying the dishes, and start saving on your heating bill.
Before you put your dishes in the dishwasher, how do you pre-wash them? If you wash them too thoroughly, it wastes water and defeats the purpose of having a dishwasher. When you pre-wash dishes, remember that you don’t need to remove all the food from the dish.
9.关闭吊扇
You can keep your ceiling fans on when you’re home, but there’s no point having them run when you’re not. Ceiling fans only move air so you can feel a cool breeze.
In other words, they don’t actually cool your house down. The next time you leave the house, make sure to shut off your ceiling fans to reduce energy consumption.
10. Add Some Shade
Learning how to reduce energy consumption can help you get acquainted with landscaping as well. That’s because planting trees around your house can provide some much-needed shade and cooling.
The extra shade during hotter months will have your air conditioner running less and less. Soon, you’ll see a lower cost on your utility bill.
降低能耗in Your Home
Give your bank account a break, and start implementing these energy-saving techniques. Reducing energy consumption will save you from wasting your paycheck, and can give you some extra spending money.
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