Paying bills can be a major bummer, especially if you’re paying too much on energy bills. How often do you walk around, turning off lights, and complaining to your children about their terrible habit of leaving the lights on!? Instead of having a meltdown every other day about the energy use in your home, try these power saving tips below to see a massive savings in your home energy costs.
Cool It With The Hot Water
Your home uses a lot of energy to fill and heat your water heater. By setting your hot water heater between 130 and 140 degrees (F), you can save a larger percentage. Even better, if you wrap it in an insulation jacket and insulate the nearest 6 ft of piping coming from the water heater, you can save even more energy.
Wash All Of Your Laundry In Cold Water
You use more energy heating water to wash your clothes then actually washing them. If you wash everything in cold water, you can save nearly 90% of the energy used by washing in hot water.
Never Wash A Tiny Load Of Laundry
You’ll spend the same amount in energy by washing a small load as you would washing a large load. So hang onto those dirty rags and wash them with your clothing the next time you do a full load.
Bundle Up, Chump!
Instead of setting your thermostat to a comfortable 72 degrees (F) during the cold winter months, throw on some socks and a sweatshirt! An extra blanket on your bed and a warm pair of pajamas is all you need to lower your thermostat a few degrees in the winter to save a bunch on your energy bill.
Insulate Everywhere
Insulation is key to trapping the heat or AC indoors. Check all weather stripping in doorways and windows. Also, fill your outlets and switches with insulation because these breezy air spaces can let a surprising amount of outdoor air inside.
Clean Out Air Traps
This includes your dryer’s lint trap, the grate covering your refrigerator’s coils, and ceilings air filters. Dust deters air flow. Anything requiring airflow in your home will cause an increase in your electrical bill if it has to work harder to move air.
Milk Energy From The Sun
Light your walkways and patios with solar powered lighting. These lights absorb solar energy all day long so that they can light up all night when the sun goes to bed.
Reconsider Putting A Fridge In The Garage
Most people put their second fridge in their garage but hot summer months can cause that fridge to work extra hard. Storing your second fridge in the basement or a mud room will save on energy costs all summer long.
Stop Using Your Dryer
Whenever possible, dry your laundry on a line outdoors! Saving your dryer for emergency situations will cut back on the energy cost of constantly running the machine.
