Everyone wants to have a little extra cash at the end of the month. A great way of saving this extra cash is to pay less on your utility bills. It only takes a tiny amount of effort to generate some significant savings. Here are some energy saving tips to get your started on the path to slashing your utilities expenses.
The first place you can start in your quest to lower your energy bill is with the thermostat. Install a programmable thermostat. These can be programmed to moderate the heating or cooling automatically while you are at work or doing other regular activities. If you are not in the house, there is no reason to keep the heat or air conditioning going. The thermostats can intelligently fire up temperature normalization just before you get home so you do not notice the difference. Also be sure to set your hot water heater thermostat to 120 degrees. It is not really necessary to have it hotter.
Air drying is also a great way of lowering your electric bill. When it comes time for the drying cycle on your dishwater, simply turn it off and lay out the dishes for them to be dried the old fashioned way. After all, it is not like you will be needing them immediately. The same principle can be applied to your clothes. Instead of using a dryer which uses a lot of energy, hang then with clothespins on the back porch. This method of drying also prevents wrinkles. Also, make sure when doing your wash to use full loads when at all possible so you are not wasting energy on multiple wash cycles when unnecessary.
Always check to make sure that windows and doors are closed tightly when your air conditioner or heater is running. You do not want external air leaking into the house. It is also a good idea to put in place double paned windows to better insulate the house against temperatures outside.
Power strips are a great way to save electricity. Instead of turning a variety of electronics on and off when not in use, you can simply press the on or off switch of the power switch to cut the devices off at once. Unplugging the strip actually works better to prevent current from leaking even when the devices attached are off. Make sure to be mindful of what should be on and off during the day. If you do not need something, turn it off. This includes computer monitors, laptops, and television entertainment systems.
Ditch the baths and take short showers to reduce the use of hot water. If you can stomach it, consider taking “Scottish showers” using cold water instead of hot water. These can help wake you up in the morning and also can increase the amount of brown fat on your body. Brown fat can actually help raise your basal metabolic rate. Additionally, look into purchasing a low-flow showerhead to reduce the amount of water you use while showering.
There are only a few energy saving tips that can get you started on your quest to slay high costs on your utility bill. By the end of the month, you could be able to treat yourself to a nice dinner from all the money you save.
