January is a great time to set your resolutions and goals for the New Year. Many of these resolutions have a lot to do with saving more money. It might be great to take a look at the amount of money you and your family spend around the house and ways that you can back in order to save more money. The typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills, however a lot of the energy that is being paid for is also being wasted. The easiest way to approach resolutions to save more, time, money and energy is a whole-house energy efficiency plan. To do this you need to view your home as an energy system with interdependent parts. For example even though you have top-of-the-line, energy-efficient products you are still wasting energy if you have ducts, walls, windows and doors that are not sealed properly. Here are a few tips that will allow you to save up to 25% more energy:

• Use a power strip: Plug all of your home electronics, such as DVD players, TV’s and radios into a power strip. When you are not using this items, make sure the power strip is not in use. This way TV’s and DVD’s in stanby mode will not be wasting several watts of power. To learn more about satellite TV providers in your area visit us at Connect Your Home or call (888)566-3979.
• Let it air dry: This may take a little more time to make sure your dishes are thoroughly cleaned by hand but letting them air dry instead of using the dishwasher will allow you to save energy and money.
• Use fluorescent lights: Change the standard light bulbs in your house to a compact fluorescent light bulb with an Energy Star Label and save money on your electricity bill.
• Turn it off: Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.
• Install a programmable thermostat: Install a programmable thermostat to keep your house warm only during the winter and cooler only during the summer.

Making your home more energy efficient not only makes your home more comfortable, it will reward you will long term financial savings. Although the initial costs of replacing your home appliances with more energy efficient ones may be expensive, the reduced utility bills will more than make up for it. To learn more about energy efficiency visit us at Connect Your Home or call (888)566-3979.