Save on Utility Bills
How Can I Save On Electricity
Posted: July 1, 2011
While They Are Supposedly Turned Off
It seems like just about every electronic device comes with a clock now a days. If you have a bunch of electronic devices like TVs, radios, computers, etc. you really don't need that many clocks.
Also, most every electronic device comes with a remote control too.
These devices suck up a lot of electricity even when they are turned off because of these clocks and remote controls. As much as 40% of a device's energy usage is created while these devices are actually turned off.
So, to save on your energy bill truly turn off these electronic devices by unplugging them totally. Or, if you don't want to be bothered with constantly unplugging everything then plug them into a Smart Power Strip and let it do the work for you.
Yes, the Smart Power Strip will cost you a few bucks but it will save you on your power bill for years to come.
Hot Water Heater
If you have a hot water heater built before 2004 then you need to insulate it by wrapping it with an insulating jacket. This will help you save about 10% of your annual water-heating bill.
Some people just turn off their electric water heaters at the breaker when they are gone for a while; like all day at work. Flip the breaker back on when you get back home and it will usually be totally heated back up within about 45 minutes. Of course, if you have a gas hot water heater this is not an option.
Another water heater energy saving tip is to set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You might also want to set it to the "vacation" setting when you are going to be gone for a few days.
Service the Furnace
Keep your filters changed regularly and have your furnace tuned every two years. This will save you about 10% on your heating bills.
While we are discussing the furnace then let's also talk about turning down the temperature during the heating season. For every degree you lower the temperature you can subtract about 5% from your heating bill.
A good time to turn down the thermostat is while you are away or sleeping. If you don't want to have to remember to always be setting the thermostat then add an Energy Star programmable thermostat. It will more than pay for itself within the first year and then after that all the savings are true savings.
Depending on your family size and the layout of your home you might consider just using a small electric heater in the room where you are staying the most and the primary bathroom and then turn down the thermostat even more for the rest of the house.
Washing and Drying Your Clothes
Washing your clothes in cold water will save 50% of the energy you would otherwise use for hot water. Do not set the timer on your dryer but use the moisture sensor and save energy usage by 15%.
Close Up Those Drafts
If you put weatherstrip around the frames of your outside doors then you will save approximately $30 a year in your energy costs. You may find that you need some weather stripping around your windows as well. Once again this will have a small initial cost but it will save for years to come.
Timers On Lights
Install timers or occupancy sensors on exterior lights and in the areas that you use only occasionally. These lights tend to get left on during the day and become money and energy wasters.
How Can I Save Water
Shower Head
An old shower head sends as much as 5.5 gallons per minute of water down the drain.
Install a low-flow shower head which will restrict the output of water to no more than 2.5 gallons a minute. You will be able to save 25% to 60% of the water it takes to shower and shampoo and will save 50% of the energy required for the hot water.
Leaky Faucets
Not only can leaky faucets drive you crazy they can cost you a lot in wasted water. The water waste can be as much as 2700 gallons in a year. The other water waster is the toilet. If you have a toilet leak it can cost you as much as 200 gallons of wasted water in a day.
To tell if your toilet is wasting water then put a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank and if the color shows up in the bowl then your tank is leaking.
Another tip for faucets is to install aerators. Aerators will cut the water flow from 3 to 4 gallons per minute to as little as a half gallon. Aerators reduce the flow without sacrificing the water pressure by mixing water and air. These are cheap little money savers for your energy budget.
Dishwashers
Run full loads when washing dishes in the dishwasher. A dishwasher uses energy to heat a set amount of water so washing a small load usually wastes both energy and water.
Another tip is to air dry the dishes in order to save additional energy and money.
Help Paying Utility Bills
Even though you do everything you can to save on your utility bills, weather conditions can burden you with some extraordinarily high utility bills at times.
No matter how hard you try to budget well you just have occasions when you need help with something. Most states, counties and cities have programs to help people with exceptionally high, unexpected utility bills.
Check with your local HUD office for any Federal Government Assistance. Also, check with your county's Committee for Economic Opportunity office to see if you can get assistance with paying a unusually high utility bill.
Also, there are a lot of local churches or ministries that will help with utility bills. Just start calling and asking to locate these places.
If you are elderly or low income then many utility companies will give you a monthly break on your bill.
Take Action - Don't Delay
Start saving and getting assistance so your next No Payday Loan will be less.
In a bind right now? Get help at "100DayLoans.com " - Fast and Easy!
(Unfortunately 100DayLoans are not available in the following states: GA, WV, AZ and VA) |
