Believe it or not, summer is right around the corner. While we in the Mohawk Valley wait for the beautiful summer weather to arrive, it is the perfect time to remind everyone of ways to help stretch their dollar and protect the environment at the same time. Many residents are looking for ways to make their hard-earned paycheck go further during this challenging economy. A good place to start is by following some of the tips enumerated below.
Did you know that the average family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills? Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. And each year, electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars. You can eliminate the need to run costly air conditioning during the hours you’re not home by installing a new programmable thermostat, which allows you to set the time you want cool air in your house.
Other energy saving tips include:
- Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle;
- Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use;
- Bleed trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if in doubt about how to perform this task, call a professional;
- Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips and turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power); and
- Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120°F.
Energy-efficient improvements not only make your home more comfortable, they can yield long-term financial rewards. Even though energy-efficient appliances may be more expensive, reduced utility bills will more than make up for this increase over the life of the appliance.
Just this week, the Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA began offering an “off-grid lodging” experience. This solar powered lodge is able to run completely independent of outside energy sources and allows lodgers to experience and learn about the durability and cost savings associated with green technologies available for residential use. Upgrades such as this last a lifetime.
I urge my constituents to join me in learning and discussing ways to save money, improve our way of life, and benefit the environment during the current economic downturn. As always, if you have any questions or comments about energy efficiency or any state issues, please don’t hesitate to contact me at either my Johnstown office at (518) 762-6486, or my Herkimer office at (315) 866-1632.