Did you know that people spend almost as much on expenses dealing with living in their homes as they spend on their rent or mortgage? Chances are that you spend a lot of money each year on furnishings, and repairs and improvements, and insurance and utilities.
We all need to become more energy efficient. It is the best thing that we can do for out environment, our planet and for out wallets. There are many ways to cut back utility bills without sacrificing the comfort to which we have become so accustomed.
We should plant trees to save energy.
You can plant trees on the southern and western sides of your home. They will provide needed shade in the summer and, in the winter, allow the sun to shine through and bring warmth.
Remember to replace your smoke alarm batteries regularly.
A properly functioning smoke alarm can save something more important than money, it can save your life and the lives of your loved ones. Make sure that your smoke alarms are always working. You should replace the batteries when you turn the clocks back in the fall and when you change them ahead in the spring.
Buy energy efficient light bulbs.
These light bulbs are just as bright and your eyes will not hurt the next time you look at your electric bill. Do not waste energy by putting a one hundred watt light bulb in to a sixty-watt fixture. Fluorescent light bulbs can replace almost any incandescent bulbs and are much more efficient and long lasting.
You can also turn the lights off when you leave the room and by doing the same with the television when you are finished watching it. If you leave the television on while you are out to keep burglars away, then use the radio. The radio will cost you less and keep away burglars.
Do not set your refrigerator or freezer thermostat too low.
Turn up your refrigerator and freezer thermostats a few degrees and I will bet that you will not know the difference. Check, your manual and even if it is only a few degrees you will be saving money. You will not even see the difference on your bill, but you will keep your food fresher longer and save money that way.
Use your microwave or toaster oven instead of the regular oven. Unless you are cooking a Thanksgiving dinner, you will do very well with either a microwave or a toaster oven and use a lot less energy. Never run the dishwasher unless it is full. Be patient and wait until it is filled to its capacity. If you need something in particular from the dishwasher, then wash it by hand. You will save in both electric and water fees. Try not to use the heat dry on the dishwasher. There are usually two settings on your dishwasher, energy savor dry and heat dry. Do not pay extra by having your dishes baked instead of letting them air-dry.
Install surge protectors in your home.
Do not wait until you have expensive damage that lightning can cause to your appliances. Get a professional to install a surge protector for the entire home or you can install the surge protectors designed for individual outlets.
Limit your dyer use.
If you washed a few items and do not need them right away, hang them up to dry rather than wasting money running your dryer. Your dryer is one of the biggest energy users in the house. The less you use it the better.
If you want to use it then dry two loads at one time. When you use your washing machine, wash your clothes in cold water. This may not work for all of your clothes, but if it works for some, you will be able to cut your electric bill.
Do not over use hot water.
Whenever you turn on the hot water, just imagine a cash register opening up to receive a steady flow of your hard-earned money. Cold or warm water will usually do just as well as the hot water does. You can also buy a water savor for your shower. You can also turn down your water heater. Lowering the temperature, just a few degrees can save you a bundle. If you go away for a period of time, you can turn your water heater off. No need to have it heating the water up if you are on vacation.
Lower the water level of your toilet.
Toilets waste a lot of water. You can fiddle with the float in the back of your toilet so it lowers the water level a bit. This can save you a lot over the course of a year.
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