Save Money on Utilities

You can save money on utilities by making a few changes in your home. Some of these suggestions require an investment of time or money, while others are simple lifestyle changes. Whichever you choose to implement, you can be sure that, over time, you will be saving money on electricity, water, and heating.

• Be mindful of the temperature you keep your home in the winter. Turn the thermostat down at night and anytime everyone is gone. Wear sweaters or sweatshirts when you are at home.
• If you are cold at night because you keep the thermostat low, consider using an electric blanket. According to the Electric Blanket Institute, the cost of using an electric blanket is only about 4 cents per night.
• Make use of the sun’s energy. In the winter, keep shades open on windows that are in the sun. In the summer, close them.
• In the summer, open the windows to catch a breeze to cool your home. Use the air conditioning sparingly.
• Water your lawn in the early morning to prevent evaporation. Better yet, consider allowing the lawn to go dormant during the hot season.
• Wash your clothes in cold water as much as possible.
• To dry your clothes, hang them on a clothesline instead of using a clothes dryer. Or, partially dry the clothes in the dryer and then hang them on hangers to eliminate wrinkles.
• Take showers to conserve water instead of baths. Keep them short. Set a timer if you need to!
• If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper is closed when not in use to prevent drafts.
• Turn the water off when brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Turn the lights off when you leave a room.
• Be sure to keep your freezer defrosted. It takes more energy to run a freezer with frost buildup.
• Keep your freezer full. An empty freezer requires more energy to keep cold. If you don’t have enough food to fill it up, fill milk jugs with water and freeze them.

• Buy appliances that have the Energy Star label. You can be confident that these appliances are energy efficient.
• Contact your energy provider to see if they have a cycled air program. This will allow the utility company to turn your air conditioning off and on for short intervals during times of peak energy demand. They usually provide you a credit or reduced cost for participation in the program.
• Plant shade trees on the sunny side of the house.
• Set your water heater thermostat at 120 degrees. This should provide hot enough water without wasting energy.

• Install a programmable thermostat for your furnace. A programmable thermostat is easy to install and saves energy by automatically adjusting the temperature at different times of the day.
• Change the furnace filter regularly. A clean filter will allow the system to work most efficiently
• Contact your utilities company to do a home energy audit. Sometimes, they will even conduct one for free.
• Make sure you have adequate insulation. Insulation is an expense that may seem costly at first, but is well worth it for the energy savings over time.
• Use foam gaskets to insulate outlets and switches that are on exterior walls.
• Fix any dripping faucets or leaking toilets. Even slow leaks can be expensive over time.
• Install a low flow shower head to conserve water.

Utility bills are a significant expense for the typical household. By implementing some of these suggestions, you will save money on utilities over the years ahead and have a positive impact on the environment.

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