Save Money on Utilities
Utility bills can take a big chunk out of your wallet, especially during the cold winter months or blistering summer months when we tend to blast our heater or air conditioner. Here are several simple tips to help save money on utilities and put more money back into your pocket each and every month.
Lower the Thermostat.
Did you know that by turning down the thermostat 10 to 15 degrees at night while you sleep can save you 5 to 15 percent a year on heating? So, toss another blanket on the bed, snuggle up and start counting your savings! We have also lowered our thermostat during the day by a few degrees to hep save money, it’s pretty easy to just throw on an extra sweater around the house.
Check those Heating Registers.
If you have a modern forced air heating system (as most of us do), make sure all of the heating registers are unblocked. Blocking a vent can throw the whole system out of whack, causing the heating unit to work harder. It is more energy efficient in the long run to balance the heat throughout the entire house.
Run a Nightly Energy Check.
Every night before you go to bed, get into the habit of performing a nightly energy check. Go around the house and turn off any unnecessary lights. Check around for other items too. Common culprits can include the kitchen hood over the stove, timers and office equipment. You can also monitor energy consumption with a number of gadgets, including the Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor (electricity usage monitor gadget that connects to appliances and assesses efficiency) and the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug w/Energy Monitoring (monitors energy consumption of your plug-in devices and set times and schedules to avoid waste; works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Cortana).
Reverse your Ceiling Fan in the winter months.
In the winter time, reverse your ceiling fan on low so that it spins clockwise. This creates an updraft so that the warm air rises and distributes it evenly throughout your room.
Visit your local utility company’s website.
Not only do these utility companies generally have a whole host of tips on various ways to save money and energy, but many of them offer rebates on energy efficient appliances as well. In addition, some companies even offer free energy audits.
Lower the Water Heater.
This easy tip is a two-fer! Lowering your water heater setting from 140 degrees to 120 degrees can save you around $36 to $60 annually. In addition, by lowering the temperature, you will also slow mineral buildup and corrosion in your pipes. Source: energy.gov
Unplug it.
There has been some debate recently if unplugging devices is actually worthwhile. As a general rule though, the bigger and the older the device, the more power it uses when it is plugged in (even if the product is turned off). Examples include old TVs and older appliances. Another great tip is to put your hand on the adaptor of the item in question. If it is hot, it is using energy. Examples of gadgets that tend to be energy-suckers include: computers, cable boxes, game consoles and digital picture frames. Source: lbl.gov
What are your favorite tips to save money on utilities? Please feel comment and share, thanks so much! 🙂
