Was your energy bill a little too high this month? Are you scared to open anything from your electricity company? There are several low-cost ways of reducing that sky high bill. Just follow a few of these seven simple steps, and you’re expenses will be much less next month. 1. Hand wash and dry your dishes, rather than use the dishwasher; 2. Opt for the window, rather than the air conditioner when your house is a little too warm. If nothing else, at least turn the system off when you aren’t home; 3. Don’t leave your lights on when you’re not using them; 4. Unplug all appliances you are not using (even turned off, your appliances use some power); 5. Look for the ENERGY STAR name on all appliances for energy efficient products; 6. Install energy efficient light bulbs 7. Air dry your clothes on a warm day to save on running the dryer.

If you’re trying to live a more energy efficient lifestyle, you should hope to see stars. . . well, at least one. ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, is in the business of energy conservation. Not only do they offer ways to care for our environment, they want to help the everyday consumer save money, too.Thus far, ENERGY STAR has already made a considerable difference. Last year, the company assisted Americans in a more energy efficient lifestyle, and as a result, saved close to 17 billion in energy bills, as well as avoided toxic emissions equal to those from 30 million cars. Read the rest of this entry »