Are you tired of increasing utility bills? Rising heating and cooling bills can make you feel like you’re throwing money out the window. Expensive utility bills can also make your household budget even tighter. We have compiled a list of tips to help you cut your utility bills this summer.
Use an Automated Thermostat
An automated thermostat allows you to cool your home with less energy. By automatically programming your thermostat to turn on in the morning, you can begin to cool the home before it gets too hot and forces the HVAC to work harder to catch up. You can also program your thermostat to automatically increase a few degrees during the day when no one is home.
Automated thermostats aren’t very expensive, and they’re easy to install. Once installed, you can easily download the related app and even review your energy use. You and your family may even find it fun to track energy use month over month and try to minimize it.
Invest in Recessed Curtains
Using high-quality curtains helps block sunlight out, which can help to reduce your cooling costs. Recessed curtain track sets are a great investment because they allow you to hang a curtain from the ceiling to the floor, blocking out all sunlight. Closing the curtain on the summer’s hottest days or just during the hottest time of the day can make a huge difference in your cooling bills. Recessed curtains also offer other benefits, like making your home appear larger.
Minimize Water Use
Try to minimize water use this summer to control your water bill. Avoid turning the shower on before you’re ready to get into it. Wait until you have toothpaste on your toothbrush to turn on the faucet. You might be surprised to learn that using your dishwasher actually uses less water than hand-washing your dishes.
You don’t have to spend the time washing dishes, and you save, making it a win-win situation. Minimize the time spent using the hose. If you have a pool or hot tub, try to fill it up once and then use cleaning products to avoid having to refill it multiple times in the same season. Keeping your plumbing in good working condition can also help control water costs. A small leak can lead to a significant increase in your water bills.
Unplug Electronics When Not in Use
Unplugging certain electronics when not in use can also help lower your electricity bills. Unplug the desktop computer or TVs when no one is using them. As a bonus, unplugging these electronics can help protect them from a surge if there’s a thunderstorm when no one is home. You can save as much as $100 per year by consistently turning off your appliances when not at home. Many experts also claim that unplugging your electronics when they’re not in use will extend their life, also saving you money in the long run.
You can also save on energy use by turning off lights when they’re not in use. Try to get in the habit of turning off lights as you leave each room. Before you leave the home for the day, flip off each switch. Swapping out your existing light switches for smart ones allows you to turn them off remotely using your phone if you forget.
Regularly Change Your Air Filters
Regularly changing your air filters allows your HVAC system to work more efficiently. Your air filters block out particles and contaminants that sit on the filter until you change it. In the meantime, your HVAC unit has to work harder to push cool air throughout the system. Air filters are affordable, easy to change, and can be found at most hardware or retail stores.
Routine HVAC tune-ups can also help your cooling system work more efficiently. It’s usually not a good idea to put off repair needs, as this can also result in higher electrical bills.
Adjust the Water Heater
Adjusting your water heater is another easy way to control your utility costs this summer. Most water heaters automatically come set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Many households can drop this to at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit without noticing much of a difference. Even this small adjustment can result in significant cost savings. Adjusting the water heater is also relatively easy and involves moving the control dial. Of course, you can also request assistance from a plumber if you prefer.
No one likes paying expensive heating or cooling bills. Water bills can also increase during the summer months. Making a few changes, including turning off appliances when they’re not in use and investing in sun-blocking curtains, can help you control your utility costs this summer.
