12 ways to cut power bills and stay cool this
summer
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Some states, cities and power companies will offer
rebates to help consumers purchase more energy efficient items for
their homes. Some may also qualify for federal tax credits. Check
out EnergyStar.gov or your state and local government, as well as
your utility companies.
8. Opt for energy-efficient
appliances. As you replace old washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and
the like, look for the EPA's Energy Star rating on your new goods. A clothes washer
with the designation will save up to 50 percent in water and power over a machine
that doesn't carry the label, says Vargas. A new dishwasher will use about $30
less power annually than a pre-1994 model, she says. And in many cases, you can
also get rebates from state or local governments and utilities and, in some cases,
qualify for federal tax credits. 9.
Plant a few trees. In addition to improving your property value, trees
give you a nice return on your summer (and winter) power bills. Select deciduous
trees (which drop leaves in the fall) for the sun-prone sides of the house, often
the south and east, says Koble. "The cooling effect is pretty major,"
she says.
10. Support
your local parks. A green space with trees can bring down
the temperatures for an entire city area, says Joan Steurer, air
quality planner for Mid-America Regional Council, a planning body
for the Kansas City metro area. And "what cools the city benefits
the individual," she says.
11. Consider
solar solutions. You can start simple with a small area or
a water heater. The dollars you save and the energy you generate
can offset those months when you want to run more air.
A solar water heater
can serve a family of four at just 30 percent of the cost of a conventional water
heater, says Koble. John Rosaci went solar in a big way. The
Florida resident and father of three installed a large section of solar panels
in his yard. While the total price was about $23,000, state reimbursements and
federal tax breaks brought the price to about $11,000, Rosaci says. He
also put in a solar hot water heater -- originally $4,000 but only $2,600 after
tax credits and rebates. End result, says Rosaci, "It's supposed to pay for
itself in about seven years."
12. Go online.
You can do your own personal home energy audit at http://hes.lbl.gov.
You can calculate exactly how much a new energy efficient
refrigerator would slice from your bill at www.energystar.gov
or find out if the federal government will give you a tax credit
for replacing home appliances or cars with more energy efficient
models at www.ase.org.
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