Ways to Save Energy and Money at Home

Last Updated on January 25, 2012

Saving energy is not only an excellent way to help the environment, but it’s also a great way to save money on monthly household bills. The following are a few handy tips on how to save energy, while reducing your monthly costs:

Appliances:
To keep utility bills low and save on energy, shop for Energy Star appliances. Clean the dryer’s lint filter on a regular basis. If you have any unused electrical equipment unplug it when not in use. When washing clothes, switch to cold water to save money and energy since 90% of the energy is wasted on heating the water. When using your computer, switch to a laptop over a desktop computer for additional savings.

Furnace:
Keep your furnace clean and properly maintained annually. Change the filter every 1-2 months as a dirty filter will reduce the airflow forcing the furnace to run longer and will run up your monthly gas bill. If you’re in need of a new furnace, consider purchasing an Energy Star as they can save a home an average of over $500 annually in natural gas and electrical costs.

Natural Gas and Electric Payment Options:
Talk to your gas and electric companies and sign up for special monthly payment options. This doles out your heating and electrical bills into equal payments each month to avoid exorbitant costs during the peak months.

Thermostat Control:
Install a programmable thermostat to control your heating and cooling temperatures when you’re not home or asleep. By setting your thermostat down a degree or two allows the homeowner to save over $60.00 a year.

Sealing and Insulation:
Inspect leaks or cracks that lead outside of the home such as windows, fixtures, doors, baseboards and plumbing and seal with caulk or weather stripping. To ensure your home is protected from any heat that may escape, make sure you have an excellent insulation base. During the winter months, close the blinds and draperies around the window area to keep the heat in. Take advantage of homes with a sunny exposure and open window coverings to allow the sun to heat your house for no cost. Use room ceiling fans to help distribute air circulation throughout your home.

Conserve Water:
Conserve water at home by changing up your showerheads and faucets that promote a lower flowing motion of water. When bathing save energy by taking a quick shower instead of wasting water by filling up the bathtub with hot water for a bath. Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are full before running them. Inspect faucets, toilets and showerheads for any leaks and repair if necessary.

Lighting:
Another good way to conserve is to use less energy to light up your home. Replace ordinary light bulbs with energy saving ones. When you or your family are not in a certain room or area of the house, learn to turn off lights or use dimmer switches to keep the lighting low. Use timers or dimmers to keep lighting low. Change any outdoor lighting around the house and garage with motion sensory lighting instead.

Jon Clark is a blogger, coffee lover and home enthusiast. He writes for www.CaliforniaApartmentsBlog.com which provides home and apartment renting and living tips as well as reviews for apartments such as these lofts for rent in Long Beach and Redondo Beach Apartments.