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To lower utility
bills, you should
contact your
service
providers
occasionally to
see what you can
do. For
example, I
called my
electric company
and found out
about a device
they hook to my
central A/C that
allows them
conserve energy
in the summer.
It really
doesn’t affect
me other than my
bill is now $5
cheaper per
month in the
summer. Most
people think “so
what, it’s only
$5” but when you
do
everything
to lower
all your
bills
it turns into
thousands of
dollars and
frees your
income. Here
are a few utility bill tips:
In the
Summer
Use
fans (ceiling or
regular) to help
circulate the
air.
Use
blinds and
curtains to keep
the sun out as
much as possible.
Service
your air
conditioner,
clean all your
filters and
vents to cut
down its
workload.
Lights
give off heat so turn off what
you don’t need
and save
electricity as
well.
Grill
out
or use the microwave so you don't
build up heat in
the kitchen.
Replace
incandescent
bulbs with
fluorescent
bulbs. You will
use about
one-third of the
energy when
using
fluorescent
bulbs, and
fluorescent
bulbs generate
less heat than
regular
incandescent
bulbs meaning
your home will
stay cooler.
Wash
full loads of
clothes in cold
or warm water
and rinse in
only cold water.
Wash
full loads in
your dishwasher,
and only use it
at times when
it’s cooler
outside.
In the
Winter
When
it’s sunny, open
your blinds to
allow sunlight
to warm your
home.
Do
everything
possible to feel
warmer. Things
like extra
blankets on the
bed and wearing
socks or warm
shoes go a long
way. If your
feet get cold,
you are more
likely to up the
thermostat when
you don’t really
need to.
Change
furnace filters
every 30 days.
Use
draft stoppers
at doors,
windows, or
anywhere else
cold air can
enter.
For
every degree you
turn down your
thermostat, you
can save
up to 5%
on your heating
bill. Keep it
way down if
you’re going to
be gone for a
long time.
Turn
down your water
heater to a low
or medium
setting.
Losing
daylight during
winter means you
will use more
light inside.
Compact
fluorescent
light bulbs last
up to 13 times
longer and use a
lot less energy
than
incandescent
bulbs.
Close
the door to your
fireplace if
applicable.
The Water
Bill
Water
your lawn in the
morning or at
night so that it
does not
evaporate so
quickly.
Use a
broom to clean
sidewalks and
driveways
instead of a
water hose.
Wait
until you have a
full load to use
dishwashers and
clothes washers.
Obviously,
shorter showers
and less overall water usage helps a lot.
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