Whether you own or rent, chances are that you pay for at least some utilities like heat and electricity. The prices on things like oil, gas, wood, and electricity can fluctuate and make for an unpleasant surprise when your utility bills come in the mail. Regardless of the current price for your utilities, it is always good to reduce your utility costs as much as possible because you probably have plenty of other things that you could spend your money on. Today, I’ve rounded up three tips that can help you save money on your utility bills.
For example, did you know that if you program your thermostat to go down five to ten degrees at night while you are sleeping, you could shave five to ten percent off of your heating bill? You won’t likely notice that it is a little chilly because you will be snug and warm in bed, perhaps with an extra blanket on top for added coziness. You can save even more if you turn the thermostat down when you go out of town for a couple of days, or even if no one will be home for a few hours. Every little bit counts, and the savings can really add up.
A fun way to get the kids interested in conserving energy resources and saving money on utilities is to assign each child an energy-saving chore. The “light saver” can be in charge of making sure that any unused lights are turned off pronto. The “shady character” can be responsible for raising and lowering the blinds at the appropriate times of day and night to help keep heat in or out of your home, depending upon the season. Make up other characters for other energy-saving things that your kids can do around the house and it becomes a game where everyone wins. It might be a good idea to rotate the responsibilities each month, so that the kids get to take turns in each role.
The third energy-saving strategy involves your hot water heater. By wrapping it in insulation that is specifically made for that purpose, you can cut the cost of heating your water by four to nine percent. Also, by turning your hot water heater down from one hundred and forty degrees to one hundred and twenty degrees you will not only save money, you will also reduce the risk of someone being burnt by water that is too hot.
How do you save money on your utilities?