Lots of folks are looking for ways to cut down on spending these days. Making some small changes in your lifestyle can truly add up to some spectacular savings. As they say, every penny counts. If you’re looking to cut utility costs, there are some simple steps you can take to make a noticeable difference. Check out these tips for how to save on your energy bills this year and beyond.
Control Your Thermostat
There’s no need to keep your home toasty warm or super cool if no one is there to enjoy it. Setting your thermostat to higher or lower temperatures, depending on the season, while you’re at work will definitely be an energy saver. A programmable or smart thermostat is your best bet when it comes to lowering your energy bill. You can set the temperatures according to your schedule so that you use your heating and cooling more efficiently, saving money in the long run.
Lower Your Hot Water Heater Temperature
Heating the water for a shower or to do dishes can really take up a lot of energy. Most hot water tanks have a default setting of 140 degrees. It isn’t necessary to keep it that high in order to enjoy hot water when you need it. By lowering the hot water tank setting by 20 degrees, you’ll likely notice savings in your utility bill, while still enjoying a nice warm bath or shower.
Change the Filters
Dirty in your heating and air conditioning unit can put a lot of unnecessary wear on it. Not only could that lead to a shorter lifespan,this inefficiency also leads to higher utility costs. Check your filters regularly and change them according to manufacturer recommendations. Call in professional air conditioner repair in Edmonton or in your local area if you need help. It’s a good idea to have your system inspected in the fall and the spring as well in order to make sure all of the components are functioning properly.
Consider Your Lighting Habits
While you probably turn off the lights when you leave a room or if you’re not home, there are other steps you can take to be more efficient with your lighting. Traditional incandescent bulbs require a great deal of energy. Replacing them with LED bulbs can add up to significant savings over the course of the bulb’s life. LED light bulbs can be expected to last much longer than incandescents. Avoiding the hassle of frequent bulb changes is an added bonus. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are an option for saving energy on your outdoor lighting. You might also want to get a timer for your lights to have even more control of your energy usage.
Use Cold Water for Laundry
Cold water gets your clothing just as clean as warm or hot. It may even be gentler on many fabrics. Heating the water for your washer takes up the bulk of the energy used. Try using cold water for a few months to see what an effect it can have on your energy bill.
Use Ceiling Fans
If you don’t have ceiling fans in your home or aren’t using the ones you have, you may want to reconsider that decision. Using a ceiling fan to supplement your A/C unit for cooling in the warmer months is a smart financial move. Fans cost significantly less to run than air conditioning. Running them can allow you to raise the temperature on your thermostat while remaining cool and comfortable.
Avoid Appliance Use During Peak Times
Utility companies charge different rates for various periods of time throughout the day. In most instances, nighttime hours are quite a bit less in price. That makes the evening hours before bed an ideal time to run the dishwasher or the clothes dryer. Using energy-sucking appliances when rates are cheaper will lead to more money in your pocket over the long haul.
These tips are relatively simple to implement and can provide generous savings on your energy bills. Give a few of them a try to get started. You’re sure to see your bills begin to shrink. You can always add to your new cost-savings regiment as time goes by for even more savings.