5 Simple Ways to Save Money on Your Utility Bills
1. Unplug kitchen and bathroom appliances when not in use. Did you know that appliances that are not in use continue to draw power driving up electricity costs? Exactly how much energy is consumed by idle appliances will vary based on a variety of factors but collectively this waste can cost the home-owner more and more money over time. To reduce this waste and save money home owners should unplug appliances like toasters, blenders, food processors, coffee makers, microwaves, mixers, electric shavers, blow dryers and the like when not in use. This isn't just limited to the kitchen and bathroom though, cell phone chargers, laptop computers, and a host of other household items all offer additional money saving opportunities for the energy-savvy home-owner. If you knew that taking just a few seconds to unplug a cell phone charger could save you money in the long run would you take the time to unplug it? To some it might seem like an annoyance initially but over time this will become habit and can offer major savings month after month. Think about it, ti will take you more time to change your queen bedding set than it will to unplug an electric cord and save yourself some money. Who doesn’t want to save money? Form a new habit in 2010 of unplugging idle appliances and smile as your utility bill goes on a permanent diet.
2. Install compact fluorescent light bulbs. Do you know what the average cost savings is for a family that upgrades all of the light bulbs in their home? For an average-sized home this can produce a savings of well over $500 in the very first year. This is particularly effective because a home-owner can do this once and then reap the benefits month after month. This is not an ongoing behavioral modification that needs to be made, just a one-time change that will literally put money in your pocket month after month. These light bulbs have become significantly less expensive and they last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. Not only do compact fluorescent light bulbs last longer, but they consume approximately 80% less energy! This could mean up to an 80% reduction in monthly lighting costs. These light bulbs will usually pay for themselves in a few short months and the exceptionally long life means that you won’t have to change the bulbs for years.
3. Install a programmable thermostat. You may have heard that installing a programmable thermostat can help save money but do you know how and why? There are a couple of great ways that using a programmable thermostat can help drive down utility expenses. For one, it is common practice for energy providers to offer lower rates during non-peak hours. If you install and program your thermostat correctly, you will be able to take advantage of these off-peak rates and heat or cool your home during the most inexpensive times of the day. This won’t eliminate your need to use some energy to heat and cool during peak hours, however, it will shift the majority of the burden to the times of day when energy is cheapest. This savings can be even more significant if your local utility provider offers seasonal energy rates. In addition to shifting your heating and cooling times, a programmable thermostat can also offer you to customize your home’s temperature around your schedule. If your home is empty from 9am – 5pm, then adjusting the temperature setting will ensure that you are not warming or cooling an empty house. Most modern central air units are powerful enough to heat or cool a home quickly. Setting your thermostat to bring the home back to a comfortable temperature an hour or so before you expect to arrive will both keep you comfortable and leave a little more money in your pocket at the end of the month. All in all over the course of a year programming your thermostat can add up to big savings.
4. Have your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems serviced. Far too often this is an over-looked maintenance item for many home-owners. Just because your central air is functioning doesn’t mean that it is functioning efficiently. Did you know that well over half of monthly utility bills in the summer and winter come from HVAC costs? Regularly servicing this critical portion of your home is critical to maintaining your home’s energy-efficiency. Simple things like clogged dryer vents can reduce a dryer's efficiency by up to 90%! If you have to run your dryer more than once to dry a load of clothes then this could be costing you big money every month. In addition to your dryer’s ventilation, things like replacing air filters and servicing heating and cooling units can all help a home operate more efficiently. This efficiency will not only save the home-owner money on monthly utility bills but can also help avoid costly HVAC system repairs in the long run. Look for a reputable HVAC company in your area that offers seasonal maintenance packages. If you are looking for HVAC in grand prairie, there are a variety of solid companies that offer this service. Be sure to ask for references and check out online review sites like Kudzu.com or MerchantCircle.com.
5. Use heavy window coverings in the summer and winter. Whenever there is a large temperature difference between the outside air and inside of your home, particularly in the summer and winter months, using heavy drapes or window coverings can help improve your home's ability to stay cool or warm. Without getting into too much detail on R values or the benefits of a upvc window, the key here is that heavy drapes act as additional insulation for a home’s windows. Homes generally lose a significant portion of heat through poorly insulated windows. Since windows lack any supplemental insulation, they are naturally one of the most poorly insulated parts of a home. Many homes include light window coverings such as bamboo roll up shades, however, these are generally poor insulators. Adding heavy drapes provides a measure of insulation that can help out significantly, especially in the summer and winter months. The additional barrier helps keep warm air in during the winter and warm air out during the summer. This applies to flooring as well, often times flooring material like carpet can be a much better insulator than solid wood flooring or cheap laminate flooring.
Following these few simple tips is sure to slim down those utility bills in 2010. Not only will these tips save you money, but since you are using less energy, you will also have a positive impact on the environment. So don’t delay, take the opportunity to make your home the best that it can be in 2010.
2. Install compact fluorescent light bulbs. Do you know what the average cost savings is for a family that upgrades all of the light bulbs in their home? For an average-sized home this can produce a savings of well over $500 in the very first year. This is particularly effective because a home-owner can do this once and then reap the benefits month after month. This is not an ongoing behavioral modification that needs to be made, just a one-time change that will literally put money in your pocket month after month. These light bulbs have become significantly less expensive and they last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. Not only do compact fluorescent light bulbs last longer, but they consume approximately 80% less energy! This could mean up to an 80% reduction in monthly lighting costs. These light bulbs will usually pay for themselves in a few short months and the exceptionally long life means that you won’t have to change the bulbs for years.
3. Install a programmable thermostat. You may have heard that installing a programmable thermostat can help save money but do you know how and why? There are a couple of great ways that using a programmable thermostat can help drive down utility expenses. For one, it is common practice for energy providers to offer lower rates during non-peak hours. If you install and program your thermostat correctly, you will be able to take advantage of these off-peak rates and heat or cool your home during the most inexpensive times of the day. This won’t eliminate your need to use some energy to heat and cool during peak hours, however, it will shift the majority of the burden to the times of day when energy is cheapest. This savings can be even more significant if your local utility provider offers seasonal energy rates. In addition to shifting your heating and cooling times, a programmable thermostat can also offer you to customize your home’s temperature around your schedule. If your home is empty from 9am – 5pm, then adjusting the temperature setting will ensure that you are not warming or cooling an empty house. Most modern central air units are powerful enough to heat or cool a home quickly. Setting your thermostat to bring the home back to a comfortable temperature an hour or so before you expect to arrive will both keep you comfortable and leave a little more money in your pocket at the end of the month. All in all over the course of a year programming your thermostat can add up to big savings.
4. Have your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems serviced. Far too often this is an over-looked maintenance item for many home-owners. Just because your central air is functioning doesn’t mean that it is functioning efficiently. Did you know that well over half of monthly utility bills in the summer and winter come from HVAC costs? Regularly servicing this critical portion of your home is critical to maintaining your home’s energy-efficiency. Simple things like clogged dryer vents can reduce a dryer's efficiency by up to 90%! If you have to run your dryer more than once to dry a load of clothes then this could be costing you big money every month. In addition to your dryer’s ventilation, things like replacing air filters and servicing heating and cooling units can all help a home operate more efficiently. This efficiency will not only save the home-owner money on monthly utility bills but can also help avoid costly HVAC system repairs in the long run. Look for a reputable HVAC company in your area that offers seasonal maintenance packages. If you are looking for HVAC in grand prairie, there are a variety of solid companies that offer this service. Be sure to ask for references and check out online review sites like Kudzu.com or MerchantCircle.com.
5. Use heavy window coverings in the summer and winter. Whenever there is a large temperature difference between the outside air and inside of your home, particularly in the summer and winter months, using heavy drapes or window coverings can help improve your home's ability to stay cool or warm. Without getting into too much detail on R values or the benefits of a upvc window, the key here is that heavy drapes act as additional insulation for a home’s windows. Homes generally lose a significant portion of heat through poorly insulated windows. Since windows lack any supplemental insulation, they are naturally one of the most poorly insulated parts of a home. Many homes include light window coverings such as bamboo roll up shades, however, these are generally poor insulators. Adding heavy drapes provides a measure of insulation that can help out significantly, especially in the summer and winter months. The additional barrier helps keep warm air in during the winter and warm air out during the summer. This applies to flooring as well, often times flooring material like carpet can be a much better insulator than solid wood flooring or cheap laminate flooring.
Following these few simple tips is sure to slim down those utility bills in 2010. Not only will these tips save you money, but since you are using less energy, you will also have a positive impact on the environment. So don’t delay, take the opportunity to make your home the best that it can be in 2010.
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