photo credit: TheTruthAbout…

This Old House published an article on 50 Nifty Tricks for Big DIY Savings.  A lot of them are simple and low-cost.  Here are some of the ones I might try at home.

• Shorten your dryer-vent hose. First, disconnect it and vacuum it out. Then trim the hose length so that it’s just long enough for you to pull the dryer a few feet out from the wall. A short and unobstructed line makes your dryer run more efficiently.
  Cost: Free.
  Savings: $25 a year on electric, gas, or propane.
  Bonus: Your clothes will dry about 20 percent faster.
•  Replace central-air-conditioning filters every month during the summer to keep air flowing freely through the ducts and reduce strain on the blower motor.
  Cost: About $11 for three filters.
  Savings: $40 or more on cooling costs.
  Bonus: New filters keep dust and mold from collecting on condenser coils, extending the equipment’s life.
• Insulate hot-water lines. Preformed foam tubes fit right around the pipes, thanks to a slit along their length.
  Cost: 29 cents to 35 cents per foot of insulation, depending on pipe dimensions, at Energy Federation.
  Savings: $50 per year on energy.
  Bonus: Halving the wait for hot water to reach upstairs faucets.
• Plug in a SmartStrip. Three-quarters of the energy that electronics burn is consumed when the equipment is turned off. Rather than unplug items after every use, hook them up to a SmartStrip surge protector, which automatically kills power to electronics when you turn them off and returns it when you switch them back on.
  Cost: $31 for a seven-outlet strip at SmartHomeUSA.com.
  Savings: As much as $240 per year in energy costs.
  Bonus: Two always-hot outlets ensure that slow-to-reboot devices like your digital cable box can be left on all the time.

What are your favorite DIY tips for saving money around the house?