Ways to cut bills through energy efficiency

By The Associated Press

Tools

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 20, 2008 at 5:40 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 20, 2008 at 5:44 PM EST

The Michigan Public Service Commission, which determines how much customers pay for electricity and heat, is encouraging people to reduce their bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Here are some tips:

— With summer around the corner, consider replacing an older dehumidifier with a new one caring the Energy Star label. Energy Star is federal program designed to save money and protect the environment. Switching dehumidifiers can save about $30 a year, or $300 over the lifetime of a unit.

— Consider buying a new refrigerator if the old one was built before 2002. Energy Star-qualified fridges use 40 percent less energy than older ones. Recycle the old refrigerator.

— Buy a programmable thermostat to help cut bills by automatically adjusting the temperature of the residence while residents are away or sleeping.

— Plug televisions and DVD players into power strips and turn off the strips when the equipment isn't being used. The devices use several watts of power in standby mode.

— Use the power-management features on computers, saving $25 to $75 a year. The feature puts monitors and computers into low-power "sleep" mode after a period of activity.

— For more tips, visit http://www.energystar.gov

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Source: Michigan Public Service Commission

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