Saving energy is one of the best ways to save money.

During the hot months of the summer, electrical bills skyrocket.  There are many ways to save energy in the home, but here are a few good places to start.

• • Use smaller appliances for cooking. If you are just making a small snack or a one pot meal, try using toaster ovens, slow cookers, or electric skillets.  Microwaves can also save energy because they cook the food faster than an oven would.

• • When you are not using your appliances, unplug them.  Even though they are not being used, there is still idle energy that is being consumed by your appliance or device.  Taking this out of the equation can save you hundreds of dollars a year, depending on what you unplug and how often you unplug it.

• • You should regularly clean and replace the air filters on all your appliances.  A clogged or obstructed air filter will make the machine work harder, requiring more energy.

• • Try to wash clothes with cold or warm water instead of hot.  Your water heater requires a good deal of energy to heat the water for one load of wash.

• • Energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75% less energy than a standard incandescent light bulb.  They also last much longer than incandescent bulbs.

Source: http://www.savemoneytips.com/money-saving-tips-ways-to-save-money-by-saving-energy/