Save Money: How To Reduce Your Utility Bill This Summer

Are you one of the many Americans who dread opening up your utilities bills each month? Fortunately, there are several ways to cut down on your utilities. These six tips can be a great way to get started with your monthly savings.

Turn off your electronics

It may be tempting to leave your TV or stereo on at night, or maybe you forget to switch off the lights when you leave a room. However, these costs can add up over the course of a month. Before you leave the house or go to sleep, do a quick sweep to make sure your electronics are switched off. This is especially important for charging laptops and cell phones. Take a quick look around your home before leaving for the day, and especially before long trips. You may be surprised at how much electricity you are using when you don't need it. Common sources that are often overlooked include: kitchen appliances like toasters, charging computers or phones, electronic shavers and power strips.

Upgrade your appliances

Switching to energy efficient appliances can save you hundreds of dollars on your utilities. Your AC units, dishwasher, and washer and dryer can all be replaced with a high-efficiency model. In addition, many local and state governments offer financial incentives to homeowners who choose to upgrade to more efficient appliances. Air conditioner installation is a simple process with the help of professionals, and can save you a bundle for years to come, says the experts at Cydcom Services Ltd. 

Choose your light bulbs carefully

If you choose to purchase energy efficient light bulbs, not only will you save money on your electricity bill, but you will also save money in replacement costs. Although energy-saving light bulbs are initially more expensive, an energy-efficient light bulb can last seven times longer than a normal light bulb and costs you much less on your utilities. You won't end up having to keep going to the store to buy more light bulbs either, making it much easier to maintain as well. 

Install an irrigation meter

A little known fact about your water bill is that you are actually charged twice, once to pump the water into your house, and again when you pump it into the sewage system. By installing an irrigation meter, instead of pumping the water back into the sewer, you can use it to water your lawn or garden. The meter will be measured each month by the utility company and subtracted from your water bill.

Buy a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat can also help you save money on your heating and air conditioning costs. You can use a programmable thermostat to keep the temperature cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer when you aren’t home during the day. This is an easy way to save money without making a conscious effort everyday. By having the programmable thermostat, you can set a temperature for your home each day or night, and not worry about constantly changing it or forgetting to turn it down when you aren't home.

Turn down your water heater

Setting your hot water heater on a higher temperature can cost you hundreds each year in standby heat losses. Most hot water heaters are set at 140 degrees, but by turning the temperature down to 120 degrees, you can save even more money on your monthly utilities bills. When you have company over or need to use more hot water, you can turn it up temporarily to save you money. Hot water is more expensive than many people realize. You should also consider doing your laundry with cold or warm water as often as possible. Using hot water for all loads of laundry costs the average homeowner hundreds of dollars each year.

Bills for your electric, water and gas can be expensive, but by following these six steps, you can greatly reduce your monthly utility expenses. Expenses that you can control can make a big difference in savings at the end of the year.

How to Save Energy on Your Home Air Conditioning

There is a lot you can do in order to ensure that you do not waste energy on your air conditioning. After all, you use your air conditioner the most during the summer. In fact, there may be days when you do not wish to switch it off at all. In hot climates, having an air conditioner is very important. So you need to find out ways, which are the most energy efficient, in helping you to cool your home. This way you will not have to pay any high energy bills. Thankfully, there are many different things you can do in order to use your air conditioner in a more efficient way, spend less money, and avoid wasting energy too.

First, you need a thermostat that is programmable for your air conditioner. This is a device that is temperature sensitive. Once it is programmable, you would be able to control when your air conditioning is switched on. You need to choose from the various programmable thermostat models available in order to find the one that will suit your specific needs. There are models that you can program for the whole week. This will suit those who have varying schedules and routines. So you can program each day depending on when you leave and when you come back.
There are also the five and two day models. These can be programmed for those five weekdays and the two days at the weekend. This is best for those who follow a different schedule during their weekend.

With a programmable thermostat you enjoy a cool house when you leave and be welcomed by a cool house when you return. Your air conditioning will get switched off during the rest of the day. You would be saving on energy this way.

Second, you need to think of solar energy in order to keep your home cool and to save on money too. The solar panels you use will take in energy during the day. You can use this energy in order to power the air conditioning system of your home. This way you would be using the sun in order to keep your home cool. Even though you should not turn towards solar energy for all your heating needs, but this is definitely an efficient way for you to lower your energy bills. Even though the start-up costs for using and installing solar panels may be somewhat expensive, the long-term savings that you would be making will make it worthwhile.

Of course, regular maintenance is important but is often neglected by a lot of people. You need to clean out your system each month. This will help you to get rid of any kind of dust or debris that may be lying around. You must replace the filter, too. Having less dust will ensure that your air conditioning system works more efficiently. You will also save energy this way. 

These are simple techniques that can be practiced by all in order to save on energy bills. Click here for more energy saving tips.