The most effective approach to saving money on your power bills is to become conscious of how you use energy. Make these 18 low-cost adjustments in your home, and you could save $480 or more each year (actual results may vary).
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Switching off two 100-watt incandescent bulbs every day for an additional two hours throughout the year may save you $14. Even better, consider converting to LEDs.
A single south-facing window may light 10 to 100 times the surface of a typical window. Over a year, turning off one 60-watt bulb for four hours saved $8.
Make sure to switch off the ceiling lights in bedrooms, kitchens, and other rooms in the house when not in use. In addition, it is more efficient to use table lamps, track lighting, and under-counter lighting in work and hobby spaces. Save up to $7 with task-lighting.
Water is a costly commodity. If your shower lasts two minutes instead of three, you could save up to $35 over a year.
Being mindful of your water use during your hygiene routine could save you almost two gallons each time you turn off the faucet. If you perform these activities twice a day, that's four gallons of water saved per day and 1,460 gallons over a year. Reduce your hot water usage by 5% to save around $18 each year.
Replacing a leaking hot water tap can save you up to $11 in energy expenses each year. Contact a plumber to fix any leaks.
Standby power accounts for up to 10% of a household's overall usage, which adds an unnecessary cost to your electricity bill. Unplug any unneeded appliances and save $48 each year.
If you still have a desktop computer, recycle it and switch to a laptop computer. You'll save over $10 each year if you use a laptop instead of a desktop for two hours every day.
While you're away, turn off the old window air conditioner for five hours each day while you are out of the house. Do that for 60 days over the summer, and you'll save $18.
Reduce your thermostat by two degrees to save 5% on your energy bill if you have electric heating. Lowering it five degrees can save you 10%. Over winter, that adds up to almost $100.
Reduce costs by increasing airflow and blocking the hot afternoon sun to save on cooling expenses. You may save up to $10 (2 fans) or $45 (1 window unit AC) throughout the summer by utilizing this approach.
You can save money by reducing the number of loads you wash even if you're already washing only with cold water, cutting back even one load of laundry a week, which saves about $17 per year on your laundry expenses.
Switching from hot to cold water for an average of three loads each week may save you up to $20 per year on your energy bill.
If you use your clothesline to hand dry your laundry even half the time, you could save up to $60 a year!
Only use the dryer when it's about three-quarters packed. It will result in fewer loads over time, and your dryer will work more efficiently. You can save up to $14 per year by doing this simple task.
Maintain clean and air-tight refrigerator door seals to keep the cold air in and warm air out. Freezing plastic jugs of water and storing them in a cooler can be an improvised second fridge. Save up to $15 each year.
It's pricey to use the heat-dry function on dishwashers. De-select it and save up to $29 per year by using one load of dishes every day.
A microwave can do the same task in 15 minutes as an oven takes an hour to accomplish. Use a microwave or other small appliance instead of your main oven three times each week and save $11 per year.
Give it a try and see for yourself. Being mindful of your energy consumption is the best way to lower your home energy bill.