we all want a lower electric bill - but how do we accomplish this without making drastic lifestyle changes? We've got you covered! 

We all want a lower electric bill - but how do we accomplish this without making drastic lifestyle changes? We've got you covered! Here are 5 easy things you can start doing right now!
 
1. Turn down your refrigerator
 If you're like me, you've never looked twice at the temperature setting in your fridge. After consulting with an energy efficiency expert, I went to check and saw that our refrigerator was set on "5". Turns out, all of our food will be cold and safe even at "3". Every fridge is different, so make sure to do this safely, but adjusting the temperature even slightly can add up the savings on your energy bill!
 
2. Stop doing laundry on "hot"
Unless you're washing super dirty laundry (like used cloth diapers), you can wash on cool or cold and still get clean clothes! Such a simple switch to make, and the environment will thank you :)
 
3. Keep the cold out! Or in, depending on the season :)
A few simple things can lead to you running your heat or AC less. A lot of heat is lost through the windows. If replacing your windows with double panes isn't an option right now, consider getting thick curtains, especially at night. In the summer, make sure to close the curtains during the day so no sunlight gets in to warm up the house. 
 
4. Unplug Unplug Unplug!
According to a study done by the US Department of Energy, 75% of energy used in a home is by appliances that are turned off! Unplugging computers, microwaves, TVs, lamps, etc when you aren't using them is a habit worth picking up! 
 
5. Get your HVAC system tested for energy efficiency 
Until there is a major repair to be made, you might not realize that your Heating and AC system is not performing at its best! Even a small leak in the system is not only harmful to the environment, but greatly affects the performance of the machine. Your local HERS company can run the tests for you, and advise you what to do next.