5 Ways to Save Money on Your Utility Bills
Filed under: Home Tips
Whether you are buying a new home or simply trying to save some money in the current one, it is important to consider the costs of ongoing maintenance and utilities. Many homeowners consider common expenses such as property taxes and mortgage payments, but they don’t think about their monthly utility bills.
During the holidays when the temperature dips, you definitely want to pay attention to your utility consumption. Here are a few steps that you can use to manage monthly utility expenses and save money:
- Adjust the Vents
Do you have rooms in your home that aren’t often used? It doesn’t make sense to maintain the temperature in an unused guest room, so close the vents in that room to redirect the air to the rest of the house instead.
- Don’t Touch the Thermostat – Adjust Your Clothing Instead
If you are hot or cold, then often the first response is to adjust the thermostat. But, changing the thermostat could result in an increased utility bill because the HVAC system is running more frequently. Instead of adjusting the thermostat, make a change to your clothing instead. For example, if you are cold then you can put on a sweatshirt or a pair of socks, or if you are hot then consider changing into shorts instead of pants.
- Unplug Unused Appliances
Did you know that appliances can continue pulling energy when they are turned off? When you aren’t using your appliances, unplug them to prevent unneeded energy usage.
- Upgrade Your Appliances
Are you using old appliances? Older technology can use a lot of energy, which means that you can save money by switching to newer, energy-saving models instead. It costs a bit of money initially to buy new appliances, but you can save quite a bit of money in the long run. Sell your old appliances by posting a classified ad, or look for an appliance recycling program in your area.
- Check Your Doors and Windows
If there are cracks in the seal of your windows or doors, those small drafts can have a big impact on your utility bill. Even a small leak in the seal can have the same effect as leaving the window open. Once a year, closely inspect the seals on all of the windows and doors in your home. Use caulk to seal up cracks around your windows and door frames, and you can also apply weather stripping around the doors.