Simple and easy ways to save money and save energy.

General Money Savers

• Plug your electronics into an easily accessible power strip that has an on/off button, and when not in use, turn the strip off.
• Unplug any electrical device and chargers, such as your cellphone charger, that you aren’t using.
• Reduce the number of electronics devices that you have, like phones and remote controls. Seriously, how many do you really need?
• Use rechargeable batteries when you can. And don't forget to remove battery-powered rechargeable devices from their docks after charging and do not leave the charger plugged in.
• Purchase Energy Star appliances, electronics, and power adapters. For more information visit www.EnergyStar.gov.

Heating and Cooling

• Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees or off when you are away. Using ceiling or room fans allows you to set the thermostat higher because the air movement will cool the room. Always take into account health considerations and be sure to drink plenty of fluids in warm weather.
• Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.

Saving Energy in the Kitchen

• Having lots of food in your fridge keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open. So your fridge doesn't have to work as hard to stay cool.
• Use electric kettles to boil water which consume half the energy needed to boil water on the stove.
• Cook food in glass dishes which are quicker than metal pans. The bottom of your pan or pot should be the same size as the burner to use the minimum amount of energy.
• Use pressure cookers which use very little energy and are best for food that is "low on the food chain."
• Don’t waste energy preheating your oven, most ovens don’t need it. For pastries and cakes, preheating 10 minutes is plenty. You can also turn your oven off 15 minutes early for major items like roasts and casseroles — the heat left in the oven will finish the job.
• Turn down the heat after water boils. Lightly boiling water is the same temperature as a roaring boil.
• Water will boil more quickly if there is a lid on the pan.
• Cooking frozen foods uses more energy — thaw them out first.