by Power Building Products' in-store industrial/residential electrician

The most important step any homeowner can take to reduce the amount of electricity used (and the subsequent greenhouse gases produced at the power plant) is to immediately reduce the amount of electricity wasted. However, the average person is probably already trying to save power. They only run the dishwasher when it's full, they watch the air conditioner thermostat settings carefully, etc - and still the power bill continues to climb. What else can be done?

We'll present a few easy and sustainable steps you can take with simple hardware items to reduce wasted electricity and lower your power bill, by discussing a few of the most likely waste culprits. Electrical power is purchased from the power company. You'll know you're living green when you notice lower power bills and more green in your pocket.

Reduce Your Water Heater Losses:

A 40-gallon water heater can consume more than 50 dollars worth of electricity each month. How can this cost be reduced? Quite simply, much of this power is often wasted by inadequate insulation, unneeded heating cycles, and improper water flow control. An inefficient water heating system has to work longer and harder than an efficient system to deliver a steady demand of hot water... and you're paying it overtime!

Insulate your exposed water piping

Pipe insulation will reduce the amount of energy wasted to the surrounding air, resulting in water temperatures around three degrees warmer than you'd get from an uninsulated pipe. You'll be able to immediately reduce the temperature settings of your water heater thermostats - with no noticeable difference in water temperature at the tap. You'll also save water, because you won't have to wait as long for hot water when you open a faucet or showerhead.