Simple tips can help households cut energy costs as prices rise

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — As energy costs continue to rise, many households are looking for simple ways to lower their monthly bills without sacrificing comfort.

With winter settling in and prices climbing, experts say small changes at home can make a noticeable difference. AAA says many energy-saving steps are easy, affordable, and don’t require special skills.

“But a lot of these tips really don’t take a lot of expertise,” said Lori Weaver Hawkins, public affairs representative for AAA. “They’re not difficult to do and they don’t cost you a lot of out-of-pocket costs.”

Weaver Hawkins says even minor thermostat adjustments can help. Turning the heat down just a few degrees during the winter can reduce energy use while still keeping homes comfortable. Making use of natural light during the day can also help cut down on heating and lighting costs.

“Make use of natural light during the daytime,” she said.

Ceiling fans can also play a role in keeping energy costs down, especially during colder months.

“In wintertime you want to make sure those blades go into a clockwise motion,” Weaver Hawkins said. “That helps draw that warmer air that escapes up to your ceiling back down into your living space. In the summertime, reverse that so you can get a nice breeze going.”

Sealing drafts around doors and windows and adding weather stripping can prevent warm air from escaping, lowering overall energy consumption. Weaver Hawkins also recommends using power strips and unplugging devices when they’re not in use to avoid what she calls “phantom energy.”

“A lot of those appliances actually still use some of your energy when they are plugged in even when they are not in use,” she said. “So make sure those are all unplugged.”

Another simple change involves laundry habits. Weaver Hawkins says switching from hot water to cold water can significantly reduce energy use.

“About 95 percent of the energy that’s used when you do your laundry is to heat that water up to hot water level,” she said. “Today’s detergents are formulated to work just as well in cold water.”

She also recommends shorter showers and switching to LED light bulbs, noting that small changes can add up over time.

“Every little bit helps,” Weaver Hawkins said.