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During the warmer months, your home’s energy bill typically increases due to a rise in your home’s energy usage in two key areas: your kitchen & bathrooms. Here are a few tips to help you become more efficient and save money in your home.

The Kitchen
From appliances to lighting, there are several areas where you can improve the energy efficiency of your kitchen and consequently save on energy bills.

• Replace old appliances with energy efficient models.
• Repair leaky faucets that can waste gallons of water.
• Use your microwave to reheat or cook smaller meals.
• Save water by scraping dishes instead of rinsing them before loading in the dishwasher.
• Save water by washing full loads in the dishwasher and utilizing the air dry option.

The Bathroom
There are also things you can do to save energy in your bathroom.

• Install a ventilation fan to control moisture in the air.
• Cover and seal all holes that lead from bathroom plumbing, ductwork or electrical openings.

Less-expensive appliances can cost you more
Shopping by price for a new washer or refrigerator? Look at the EnergyStar rating for total annual costs – oftentimes the least expensive models will cost much more per year to operate. Over the typical lifespan of a major appliance, those costs can really add up… and as energy prices go up, so will your savings!