Helpful Tips for Potentially Saving Money Around the House
- Turn the TV off: If you aren’t in the room watching the TV, be sure that you turn it off! While newer models don’t use as much energy as a TV from the 1990s or early 2000s, they still use quite a bit of energy that could easily be saved. Over time, this can really add up and could cost you a lot of money on your monthly utility bills.
- Upgrade: If your air conditioner or furnace/boiler is 10+ years old, it may be time to think about replacement. The models available on the market today use less energy and are incredibly efficient. This is an investment that will practically pay for itself over time in your cost savings each month on utility bills.
- Drapes/Curtains: Remember to close your drapes/curtains during the day to prevent cool air from escaping your home during the summer, and to prevent heated air from escaping through the windows during the winter months. It may also be a smart idea for you to consider having insulated, light-blocking drapes for your windows to help with keeping conditioned air inside the home where it belongs, and to prevent the sun’s rays from getting in during the spring and summer.
- Keep heating and cooling costs in check: On nice days during the spring/summer/fall, open up the windows and shut the AC off! During the winter, you can help to save on energy costs by opening the curtains during the day to let in natural sunlight. This could warm the inside of your home to the point where the furnace/boiler doesn’t need to come on as often.
- Be mindful of water usage: Be sure that you are shutting the water off while you are brushing your teeth. Only do laundry when you have a full load of clothes to clean. Also, be sure that your kids aren’t wasting water by playing in the bathroom tub, shower, or sink.
- Keep up with regular maintenance: Scheduling annual maintenance for your heating and cooling systems could help you to save on repair costs in the future. During a maintenance appointment, many problems could be caught early on and dealt with before they result in a total breakdown of the system(s).