13 Tips for Saving Money on Your Energy Bills

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Utility costs are on the rise, and many families are finding themselves struggling under the weight of impending bills. Fortunately, homeowners and renters alike can adopt simple changes to their everyday routine that will have a significant effect on their expenses.

Electricity

• In the hot summer months, use fans to cool your home in place of central air conditioning or window AC units. To get the best results, place fans near open windows in the shadiest parts of your home, especially near windows that tend to get a strong breeze. Draw the curtains or shades during the sunniest hours of the day to reduce the amount of heat coming into your home. You may also want to consider installing an attic fan in your home. It's a one-time investment that will pay for itself quickly and may even increase the value of your house.
• Another recommendation is to install ceiling fans in bedrooms and living areas. They are quiet, attractive, and can considerably cut the temperature in the room. When ceiling fans are used, additional floor fans may not even be needed. While it is true that running fans does use electricity, it's nothing compared to the amount of power used by air conditioning units.
• Get yourself, and your entire family, into the habit of turning off appliances and lights when they are not in use. It seems obvious, but stop and think. When was the last time you spent an hour cooking in the kitchen while the TV remained on – and unwatched – in the living room? How many times have you left every light on downstairs while you spent two hours working on the computer upstairs? We all do it!
• Whenever possible use low-wattage or energy-saving bulbs. It is also advisable to look into buying Energy Star appliances or having your home inspected to see where energy-related improvements can be made. If you cannot afford the repairs to your home, you may be eligible for government grants or low-interest home improvement loans to make your house more energy efficient.
• In the summer months, hang your laundry on clotheslines or on drying racks to cut down on the amount of time you use the clothes dryer. If you have a natural gas clothes dryer, this will save on electricity as well as gas. Be sure to clean out the lint trap after every load. If the lint trap is clogged, clothes will take much longer to dry, meaning you'll need to run the dryer for several hours just to dry one load.

Water

1. Did you know that a dripping faucet can waste as much as two gallons of water every hour? Checking all of your faucets to make sure they're not leaking, and fixing a leaky faucet as quickly as possible, can save you money in the long run. It's also wise to keep the faucet turned off when brushing your teeth, shaving or washing dishes. Only turn the water on to rinse, and try not to let it run for too long.
2. You can purchase a water-saving showerhead for as little as $15. They are easy to install and can cut the cost of a shower in half. In the past they've been criticized for offering very little water pressure, but newer models produce a full-power spray that uses as little as three gallons of water per minute. It can also be helpful to set a timer every time you get into the shower to get yourself into the habit of using less water. This is especially important if you have a number of people in your home and only one bathroom; not only are you using less water, but you're spending less time in the bathroom total, making it easier for everyone to get ready in the morning without rushing.
3. For laundry, set your washing machine to rinse all loads in cold water. Only run the washing machine or dishwasher when you have a full load; if you need to wash a small load of laundry, be sure to adjust the water level. There's no point in filling up the entire washer for two or three pieces of clothing.
4. If you water your lawn or garden, try to water early in the morning, before 8am if possible. This time of day allows the least amount of evaporation, making it unnecessary to water every single day and ensuring that your plants get the full benefit of the water you’re giving them.

Natural Gas

1. To warm your house during the winter months, make good use of fireplaces, wood stoves and pellet stoves. Wood and pellet-burning stoves can produce a great deal of heat and are far less expensive than natural gas.
2. Wear layers of clothing and slippers in the house. Keep blankets within reach in your living room and cuddle up with a quilt when you're watching TV or reading a book. You may find that you don't need to turn the heat up as high as you have in the past. Another great trick for keeping your home warmer is to put down inexpensive area rugs, especially if you have hardwood floors.
3. Many people keep their water heater set as high as 180 degrees. In actuality, you can lower it to 120 and still be comfortable. After setting the temperature to 120, wait six hours and then test the temperature of the water under a faucet with a meat or candy thermometer to be sure it's set at the right temperature.
4. Finally, when cooking on a gas stove, keep pots and pans covered so that water will boil and food will cook faster. Try cooking several meals at once that can be frozen and heated up later in a microwave or toaster oven, which use less energy than a full-sized oven.

Utilities are a necessary part of life, but there's no reason they need to run our lives. Small changes can go a long way toward reducing your utility bills and saving you money all year round.