Little steps can make a big difference. Try some of these easy tips to save BIG on those rotten utility bills!
Electric bill:
- FREE: AVOID DOING THE LAUNDRY AND COOKING: Got your attention didn't I? Here's the catch, add DURING THE DAY to that sentence. Especially in summer months. Using the Dryer and Oven can make your A/C work harder to keep those areas cool. Stick clothes in the laundry first thing in the AM or after dinner. Cooking meals in a slow cooker during the summer is a great way to save on both energy and A/C usage.
- FREE – Turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees. You can reduce your water heating costs by simply lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. For each 10ºF reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs. Although some manufacturers set water heater thermostats at 140ºF, most households usually only require them set at 120ºF. Water heated at 140ºF also poses a safety hazard—scalding. However, if you have a dishwasher without a booster heater, it may require a water temperature within a range of 130ºF to 140ºF for optimum cleaning. Reducing your water temperature to 120ºF also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes. This helps your water heater last longer and operate at its maximum efficiency.
- FREE: Clean air filters monthly for central air and individual window or wall units. Dirt and dust hinder air flow, reducing efficiency.
- FREE: Unplug those chargers! Gadgets like a cellphone charger or microwave suck energy -- and generate heat -- as long as they're attached to a power source. Standby power for appliances not in use typically accounts for 5% to 10% of residential electricity use, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Plug those gadgets into a power strip that can be turned off when not in use.
- FREE: Program the thermostat. Give the air conditioner a break during the work day. Shifting the settings to allow higher daytime temperatures could cut the average household s electric bill by $180 a year, according to Energy Star.
- $1 - Fluorescent bulbs – GET THEM AT THE DOLLAR STORE!!! - replacing even a couple at a time can help…a lot.
- $15 – Get outlet insulators for the INSIDE of your house. Install them on the walls that are backed up to the exterior wall to but on the exterior walls. You can get them at Lowe’s/Home Depot . Remove your faceplates for your switches and electrical outlets on your walls that are along the interior facing walls in your house. You would be surprised how much air comes through an outlet (not to mention spiders). Outlet Insulator
- $20 – Get a dryer vent brush – home improvement store. Not only can it be used for your dryer vent, but it will clean the coils on your refrigerator. The refrigerator is the #3 power consumer in the house, right under your HVAC and Hot Water Heater.
- FREE – Fill a plastic drink bottle with water and put the full bottle in your toilet tank. It “fakes” your water tank out and it only takes half as much water to refill the tank.
- FREE – Turn the water pressure down in your bathroom sinks. You use less water because less pressure is applied.
- $20 – Wrap your hot water heater in a snuggly Hot Water Heater blanket from a home improvement store. (It looks like those old aluminum blankets we would all lay on in the sun in the 80's!). Unless your water heater's storage tank already has a high R-value of insulation (at least R-24), adding insulation to it can reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45%. This will save you around 4%–9% in water heating costs. If you don't know your water heater tank's R-value, touch it. A tank that's warm to the touch needs additional insulation. Insulating your storage water heater tank is fairly simple and inexpensive, and it will pay for itself in about a year. You can find pre-cut jackets or blankets available from around $10–$20. Choose one with an insulating value of at least R-8. Some utilities sell them at low prices, offer rebates, and even install them at a low or no cost.Water Heater Blanket
- $60 – Hot Water Heater timers. Think about it being a light timer, but for your hot water heater. f you have an electric water heater, you can save energy by installing a timer that turns it off at night when you don't use hot water and/or during your utility's peak demand times. You can install a timer yourself. However, timers aren't as cost effective or useful on gas water heaters because of their pilot lights. Water Heater Timer
Thanks to my good friend and money muse Page for her contributions!
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