Great Saving Tips for This Year

[BACK]
Great Saving Tips for This Year

It’s not a big surprise that energy costs money, but some people are still surprised when they see how much their consumption is costing them. Keep in mind that anything you can do to conserve energy puts some money back in your pocket.

Here are some ways to reduce consumption and at the same time, cut your expenses:

Use Your Thermostat

Turning up the temp during the summer and turning it down during the winter are great strategies for having your thermostat work for your wallet. A programmable thermostat allows you to make the house hotter or cooler during periods when you are not home. This reduces the temperature difference between the interior and exterior of your house, which in turn, reduces energy loss. If you do not have a programmable thermostat, you can adjust your existing unit manually.

Change or Empty Your Filters

It is important that you change the filter on your furnace on a frequent basis. Many furnace manufacturers recommend doing it monthly or quarterly to keep the unit operating at maximum efficiency. You should also empty the lint filter on your dryer after every use because even a small amount of lint reduces energy efficiency.

Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

Another quick and easy way to reduce your energy consumption is to replace existing incandescent lights with energy-efficient compact fluorescent ones. Regardless of the bulbs you use, what’s important is that you turn them off when you leave the room. For rooms that are not often used such as laundry rooms, basements, and garages, you might want to consider having timers installed so lights can be set to automatically turn off after a certain amount of time – just in case you forget to turn them off.

Close the Doors

Do not waste energy. Close the doors on your house and refrigerator as quickly as possible. Fireplace dampers should be kept shut when they are not in use. Curtains should be closed at night to cover the windows. All of these efforts help to conserve energy by preventing heat loss.

Use Your Surroundings

Trees that are strategically placed can help reduce heating and cooling costs. During the summer, trees provide shade and during the winter, they provide a windbreak. Large deciduous trees placed in the right places can also help reduce cooling costs up to 25%. Because they lose leaves in winter, they also allow the sun to warm your house.