| We are all aware of small energy-saving ways to | | | | and washers, are major consumers of electricity. |
| lower our electric bill, such as Compact Fluorescent | | | | That's why it's important to replace old appliances with |
| light bulbs, taking short showers, and using fans instead | | | | more modern, energy-efficient models. Energy Star |
| of AC to circulate air. Though these small, "green" | | | | appliances can cut a household's electricity and water |
| changes are important, there are other, more | | | | use in half, making these eco-friendly appliances yet |
| significant home additions you can make to | | | | another permanent way to save electricity and lower |
| permanently and significantly lower your electric bill. | | | | your electric bill. |
| Install Solar Panels | | | | Buying new appliances may seem like a considerable |
| A costly but permanent solution to getting a lower | | | | expense, but it's important to understand that |
| electric bill in Ohio is to install solar panels on your | | | | energy-saving appliances can pay for themselves in a |
| rooftop. Solar panels are ingenious because they | | | | matter of years. To persuade Ohio homeowners to |
| provide a renewable energy resource to your home, | | | | buy eco-friendly appliances, the government issues a |
| meaning that once they are purchased and installed, | | | | tax incentive of 30 percent off the appliance's sticker |
| your electricity bill will be forever slashed. In fact, the | | | | price, up to $1,500. |
| government may even end up paying you for the | | | | Invest in High-Performance Windows |
| energy your home generates! | | | | Like other elements of a Ohio home, windows have |
| State and national governments also give generous | | | | advanced technologically in the past few years. In the |
| tax credits for Ohio homeowners who transform their | | | | past, windows often caused unwanted heat loss and |
| home into an eco-friendly residence. These tax | | | | condensation issues in cold climates. Today's |
| savings could pay for up to 80 percent of a home's | | | | energy-efficient windows, however, trap heat inside |
| solar unit. Green homeowners can also get a lower | | | | your home during cold months. In hotter climates that |
| electric bill by asking their local power company about | | | | require heavy AC, older windows too often leaked out |
| a renewable energy program. | | | | the home's cool air. With energy-efficient windows, it is |
| Installing solar panels for your Ohio home will not only | | | | now possible to greatly reduce heat gain during the |
| lower your electric bill, it will also help the environment. | | | | summer and improve heat retention during the winter. |
| Solar panels may seem like an expensive home | | | | Again, the government offers a tax credit for |
| addition, but in most cases, it takes just two to three | | | | energy-efficient windows, doors, and skylights. The real |
| years to recoup the costs of purchasing and installing | | | | savings, though, is the money you'll save on your utility |
| solar panels. | | | | bill. Installing energy-efficient windows can lower your |
| Use Energy-Efficient Appliances | | | | electric bill by hundreds of dollars annually. And, |
| Most of us aren't aware that our refrigerator can | | | | naturally, efficient windows and doors also enhance |
| account for up to one-fifth of our monthly electric bill. | | | | comfort, reduce condensation, preserve electricity, and |
| Large home appliances, like fridges, stoves, freezers, | | | | help to protect the environment. |