Since the cost of fossil fuels is only bound to rise in the coming years, you can be sure that your power bill is going to follow. If you want to keep every dollar you can, then you need to make sure that you start slashing your bill every chance you get. The following paragraphs have seven ideas you can use to do just this, all without sacrificing your standard of living.
Go shopping for new appliances! However, make sure that your new appliances are rated and certified as energy star compliant. If your current appliances are still functional, do not not just dispose of them. Sell them online or through a local auction or consignment shop. This will seriously offset the expense of your new units, which will then pay for themselves quickly in the reductions to your power bills.
Find any devices that will save water in your home and install them. This can range from sink faucets to new toilets. Many of the times you use water in your home, you can actually get your tasks done but with less actual volume of water. The savings to your water bill are not likely to be huge, but the less water you have to heat can mean a difference on your power bill.
Make sure that all the doors and windows in your home are properly insulated. These openings, even when shut, can draft heat out of your home in the winter and into your home during the summer. This just means more work for your air conditioning and heating. A one time expense of insulation can save you month after month.
Reconsider how you personally use energy. There might be areas where you can improve your habits. Do you leave things powered on when not in use? Get timers for all your sockets that automatically shut off the power to anything plugged in after a certain time. Also check your utility bill to see if power is cheaper in certain hours than others. These might the best times to do laundry.
Make use of solar energy in your home. Install solar water heating, and put solar powered lighting in your yard. Solar power is usable small-scale now, for everything from window fans to portable electronics chargers.
Make your new energy efficiency a family project. You can use this as an opportunity to teach your kids about everything from money to the environment. If you find ways to make it fun, you can know that you are not alone in your efforts.
Come up with a laundry schedule for the whole household. Instead of having individual members wash only what they need when they need it, make sure that the machine is full every time. Washing likes with likes is even better, as you can maximize cold water washing for clothes that can handle it.
It can be hard to cut back on your reliance on fuels for power and lifestyle. On the other hand, this article has presented you with a number of ideas that you can use to reduce your reliance on the world’s resources without impacting your quality of living.
Speak Your Mind