SAVE POWER

Save your Energy a frugal use of utilities leaves you more money.

Water, gas and electricity come so easily that we tend to think of them as basic rights of life. With a flip of a switch or an adjustment, we cool down; warm up, wash, cook, play and work, hardly realizing that we are paying for every moment of convenience and comfort with real money. The fact is that energy use – water, gas and electricity – amount to a significant percentage of our spend-able income.

Habits can be changed over a period of time to incorporate a less energy consuming life style. For example shorter showers, low maintenance lawns, and “full-only” laundry loads save water, while fluorescent light bulbs, using cold water when possible, and limiting oven use saves electricity,

If you want to live more frugally, start when you buy appliances, Pay attention to the cost of operating them and shop carefully. Read the labels; ask questions. Don’t buy until you’re satisfied that the appliance is truly the most frugal to operate

When you buy appliances, even if the purchase is second hand, check for the energy rating. Don’t be too much in a hurry or too embarrassed to do the math when you shop. It’s a one time step that you don’t have to thin about again, but you will continue save (or waste) money a long, as you own the appliance.

Pay attention to the appliances you already own, Make sure they’re clean and in good working order. Do the best you can to put them in the best operating position; For instance, don’t put stoves (producing heat) next to refrigerators (producing cold), or window air conditioners in the sun.

It seems to be human nature to accumulate more information than we are willing to use. If you tend to do that, here’s a challenge.

Make one change this week. Make just one permanent change that will cut money from you utility bill. Then next week or next month, try to come up with another change. It won’t be long before your utility bill will show the difference.