You've probably heard these words before: making simple changes in your home can save you a lot of money on your electric bill.
And FOX23's Ann Hughes can atest to that. She has been taking part in a New York State energy conservation program since January, and since then, her family has saved $900.
You might not think the first step toward becoming more energy efficient would involve powering up a computer and getting online. But that is the case with the program Jumpstart NY.
Hughes describes the chart on her computer, "The blue is my home and the gray in the background is a similar household."
There are 250 families in the state, including Ann's, who can log on, and see how much energy they're using, in real time.
"I know we used the microwave and probably the coffeemaker," said Ann.
The Jumpstart NY program, run by the State Public Service Commission, asks you to set a goal and recommends changes to cut your usage and your bill.
"What we're trying to do is help people realize just how valuable energy is, electricity, and how they can do a better job saving it," said James Denn, of the Public Service Commission.
You don't have to be part of the program to save money.
Energy expert John Masergian came to Ann's house to point out the top five ways you can cut costs.
First, turn back the thermostat.
"For each degree you set the thermostat back, you save 3 percent on your energy costs," said Masergian.
That means, when you're home during the day, keep the temperature around 68. Lower if no one is home...and way down at night - 10 degrees lower.
"It sounds cold, doesn't it? But if you bundle up, put on your comforter, you're not going to feel it," said Masergian.
Next, set your hot water heater at 120 degrees, and no higher. The hot water heater can be 15 percent of your bill.
And add insulation to your hot water pipes, especially if your basement isn't heated, or well-insulated.
"Even though the pipe may be exposed to cooler temps here, they will still retain the heat so that the hot water heater doesn't have to work as hard," said Maserjian.
Be sure to weatherize. Seal up drafts around doors and windows, and even use covers under the outlets of your exterior walls, to keep the cold out and the warm air in.
"Depending on the age of the home, air sealing can save 10 percent or more on the overall energy use that you see in the house," said Maserjian.
Use energy efficient lightbulbs.
Ann asks, "These light bulbs, traditional light bulbs shouldn't be in our homes anymore?"
"No," said Maserjian.
Change them out and replace them with CFL's.
Maserjian said, "They use about a quarter of the energy of what a regular lightbulb uses."
LED'S are even better. They are expensive, but they'll save you even more money in the long run.
"They use about $1.50 a year in energy," said Maserjian.
And make sure your refrigerator isn't using more energy than it has to.
"Make sure the coils are clean so once in a while pull the fridge out and use a feather duster or a rag to take the dust off the coils to make sure it's running efficiently," said Maserjian.
Overall, Maserjian says Ann is doing well, although there's always room for improvement. A Jumpstart NY screen shows how far her family has come.
Ann said ,"Look at that - $65 in the month of October, $855 this year. That's real money."
'If we can reduce our consumption, this is a good thing for all of us. It's a good thing for our pocketbooks, and for the environment and a good thing for New York," said Denn.
