We’ve had hot weather lately and now’s the time to pay attention to that air conditioner in your home.  In addition, kids are out of school and that refrigerator door will be opening more, there may be more laundry not to mention more dishes.  With all the “green” talk, there are actually five energy guzzlers and since everyone is looking for ways to cut costs,  with some minor adjustments this summer, you can cut back and save money at the same time.  Here are some tips from the Energy Star website:

1) HVAC System

Your home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is the worst offender. Most households employ some sort of climate control 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout both the hottest and coldest parts of the year. In fact, heating and cooling represent 50% of the average household’s annual energy bill, a total of $1,175.

How to cut your bill: Program the thermostat so that the HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard while you’re at work or asleep. By Energy Star estimates (This story was originally published on AOL on August 18, 2008), you’ll save $180 annually by reducing the temperature by just two degrees in the winter, and adjusting the air-conditioner two degrees higher in the summer.  Now’s also the time to make sure everything is working properly by having the air conditioning system and your heating system serviced.

2) Water Heater

Your water heater works around the clock to provide enough hot water for showers, laundry and dishes, among other things. As a result, it represents 13% — the second-biggest chunk — of your annual energy bill. That’s $305.50 for the average household.

How to cut your bill: Dial down the heater’s temperature to 120 degrees from the standard 140 degrees. That’s a perfectly adequate temperature for all the hot-water needs in your household. Lowering the temperature 20 degrees reduces your annual bill by 6% to 10%, or $18 to $30. Another trick: Wash clothes in cold water only. That alone can cut your bill by another $73 a year while keeping your clothes just as clean.

3) Refrigerator

Is your refrigerator running?  It periodically cycles up to draw maximum watts and keep the temperature consistent. Worse, it does so each time someone opens the refrigerator door for an extended period of time. The fridge accounts for 5% of your annual energy bill, or $117.50 for the average household. Expect to pay twice that if you’re one of many consumers who use an ancient, inefficient model for spare food storage in the garage or basement.

How to cut your bill: A refrigerator cycles on less frequently if the coils beneath and behind the unit remain clean and dust free. Keeping the fridge at a moderate temperature (36 to 38 degrees, not lower) helps, as does regularly defrosting the freezer to eliminate ice buildup on the interior coils. Got a second fridge that’s been around for more than a decade? Recycle it. One bigger fridge is more efficient than two smaller ones. Plus, you’ll knock out the $150 or more in annual energy bills.

4) Clothes Dryer

A dryer can’t earn the Energy Star label right now. There just isn’t enough information about what makes one more or less efficient than another. Washers and dryers collectively account for 6% of your annual energy bill with the bulk of that amount coming from the dryer. That’s $141 for the average household.

How to cut your bill: Splurge for the most energy-efficient clothes washer you can afford. A more efficient washer wrings more water from your clothes, cutting drying time in half. If you can’t afford a new major appliance, be sure to use your dryer’s moisture sensor settings.  It’ll turn off as soon as the clothes are dry. Cut your drying time in half, and you’ll cut your bill in half, too.

5) Dishwasher

Loading up the dishwasher may be more efficient than hand-scrubbing, but it comes with a convenience fee. Dishwasher use represents 2% of your annual energy bill, or roughly $47.

How to cut your bill: Let dishes air dry instead of using the drying feature which doubles the appliance’s power draw. That simple move could reduce your bill by $20.

Source: Energy Star

© Copyright 2008-2009 Betty Jung.  All Rights Reserved.  Use of this article, photos and images without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

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