Do you wince every time the utility bill comes in the mail? Do you feel like you could be saving energy and cash? Saving energy can get expensive with new appliances and products. Often those are great investments but for those on a tight budget they aren’t realistic solutions.
Below are ways you can have a more energy efficient home without spending a lot. Feel free to research more – there are tons of resources on this topic! Make it a goal to try 5 of these tips consistently and compare your bills for the next few months.
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- Air Conditioner Filters: Replace them when suggested.
- Air Conditioner: Turn your COOL/HEAT up or down when you are at work or gone from the house for a while, depending on the season. Then put it on a comfortable setting when you are at home. Consider improving or adding insulation.
- Doors: Purchase door draft stoppers “snakes” that will ensure a snug seal and keep air from escaping or entering.
- Leave bedroom doors open for maximum circulation.
- Windows: Caulk windows to seal them. Use a caulk gun to apply, a scraper to remove old caulk, and a flat tool to spread it out on the window seam.
- Open windows to utilize outside air – great in spring or fall!
- Fireplaces: Board up the flue or install doors to the front of the fireplace to keep air from getting in from the outside.
- Outlets: Use a power strip and switch it off when you’re gone out of the house for a while. Plus, it'll give you more outlet space!
- Dishes: Hand wash and air dry dishes in between meals, then when you have a lot to wash use the dishwasher. Open your dishwasher and let dishes air dry instead of using the drying function.
- Washer: Machine wash clothes on cold – it costs less and colors are less likely to bleed.
- Lighting: Invest in energy efficient bulbs like CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamp).
- Fans: Use box or rotating fans to circulate air and keep the temperature regulated.
- Roof: Install a roof cap or apply a roof coating to reflect sunlight and reduce heat
Want to invest into making a more energy efficient home? Compare bills after trying these ideas and use the money you saved to start a home savings account. Then try to save that amount every other month. Next time you want to make a bigger purchase you’ll have some cash set aside!
