Running a family home is one of the most rewarding roles we can have in life, but it’s not without its challenges. Money, in particular, is a common worry for many moms who are trying to provide the very best for their children with sometimes limited resources.
According to the Energy Department, the typical American family spends $2,200 on utilities each year. While many of us accept these bills as a painful necessity, there are some simple but effective ways to make your utility bills cheaper. Utility providers will sometimes run an energy audit on your home to help you pinpoint the problem areas and easy ways to reduce your usage, but here are some essential tips to get you started.
Improve insulation
If your home is poorly insulated and has lots of gaps, drafts or leaky ducts, much the hot or cold air produced by your heating/cooling system will escape and is essentially wasted money. Seal up gaps on window frames, letter boxes and under doors, and ensure your refrigerator and freezer are properly shut at all times.
Upgrade your appliances
Household appliances such as TVs, refrigerators, boilers, and air conditioners will become less efficient as they age and will cost more and more money to run. Consider updating your appliances to a more modern version with a higher energy rating. You should also ensure it is serviced professionally regularly to keep it in top condition for as long as possible.
New boilers and air conditioning systems aren’t exactly cheap, but they will often return your investment (and then some) in reduced heating bills over time. If it’s time to invest in a new system, but you don’t have the available cash, payday loan direct lender LoanPig can help you to spread the cost over a period that suits you.
Take control of your heating
Try to reduce the temperature on your thermostat by just a few degrees and make sure it’s off when you’re not at home. Programmable thermostats can be scheduled to turn on and off at certain times of the day. Smart thermostats are also popular as they are connected to the internet and enable you to monitor and control your heating from wherever you are in the world via an app.
Reduce your hot water usage
Reducing the amount of hot water you use to do laundry, run the dishwasher and shower can make a significant difference to your energy bills. Cutting just a couple of minutes off your shower each day could reduce your water usage by as much as 10 gallons. Replace the showerhead with an energy efficient showerhead, and you can also reduce your water usage significantly over a year. Clothes rarely need to be washed in hot water, so try running most of your loads through warm or even cold water.
Switch utility suppliers
If you have been with the same utility supplier for a while, you may be missing out on a cheaper deal elsewhere. Compare utility companies and see if you could be getting better rates. Some will offer discounts for energy used during off-peak periods of the day.
Use low-energy lighting
Turning lights off in empty rooms is one of the simplest ways to reduce your energy wastage, but you can also opt for low-energy bulbs such as LEDs. These will not only use less energy but should also last longer than standard bulbs. Dimmer switches are great for enabling you to adjust the level of light in the room to your preferences while saving energy at the same time.
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