Save Money on Your Utilities

Until we get the electric bill or have to fill the oil tank, many of us don't think about our utilities on a regular basis.  But a significant portion of the household budget goes towards our utilities.  How can we save money on utilities without sacrificing the comforts we need (or at least really, really want!)?  The following are some of the many ways that you can help reduce your utility bills.  Although each change may not make a huge difference, together these tips can save thousands each year. 

Heating/Cooling-

• Check your insulation.  Add extra insulation where needed and be sure to insulate your attic access.
• Keep your furnace tuned and cleaned and replace filters regularly.
• Weather strip your doors and windows. 
• Insulate your hot water pipes and your hot water heater (especially if made before 2004).
• Consider installing a whole house fan.  Check with your local home-improvement experts to see if your climate would allow the benefit.
• Adjusting your thermostat just one degree can save 5% on your heating/cooling costs.  Or consider investing in a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts.
• Use fans
• Keep south and east windows covered in the summer and let the sun in, in the winter.
• Strategically plant shade trees and windbreak trees.

Water-

• Only run full loads of dishes and laundry.
• Install low-flow shower heads.
• Install aerators on all faucets.
• Plug any leaks in faucets or toilet tanks.  A leaky faucet can waste as much as 2700 gallons of water a year (Kiplinger). 
• Consider installing a rain barrel.
• Recycle when possible.  I use the water from the kid's pool to fill our pond and water our plants.
• Water plants in the cool of the morning.
• Keep a pitcher next to the sink to catch the cold water while waiting for the hot water to heat up.
• Share a shower!

Electricity-

• Cut the phantom loads (appliances that continue to use electricity even when turned off) by installing a Smart Power Strip.
• Use the moisture sensor instead of the timer on your dryer.
• Line dry your clothes.
• Air dry your dishes instead of heat-drying them in the dishwasher.
• Lower your water heater to 120 degrees.
• Install timers on your lights.
• Use solar-powered landscape and security lights.
• Replace your light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lights. 
• Only wash clothes in hot water when absolutely necessary. Always use the cold rinse.
• Keep your freezer full.  It will run more efficiently than an empty freezer.  Add ice to empty areas.
• When replacing appliances and windows, look for energy-efficient models.

Telephone/Cable/Internet-

•  Always shop around and compare prices for these services.  Do not be afraid to try
  and negotiate a better contract.
• Bundles are usually a good deal, but if you do not use the services in the bundle, go with a flat plan.  We only ever used the Caller ID and Call Waiting, so I dropped the larger phone bundle and pay for these two services only.
• Consider canceling your land line completely. If you have a
  cell plan, do you really need your land line?  Beware, however, that if your internet is tied in with your phone (dial-up or DSL), you cannot cancel your phone service and keep your existing internet service.
• If you need to cancel or switch cell providers, consider selling or trading your service plan instead of paying an early termination fee.  Celltrade will help you find someone who wants your plan!
• Use 1-800-Free-411 from your cell phone.  Sure you have to listen to an annoying ad, but it's better than a $1.25 for every information call.
• Drop your cable!  Get a movie subscription (Netflix, Blockbuster) or borrow movies for free from your local library.  The benefits of dropping cable are far more than monetary, but that's another post!

The list is daunting, I know.  But as we have implemented most of these tips, we have seen our utility bills shrink dramatically.  We have gone from filling our oil tank two times each winter to only one time.  Our electric bill is about $300.00 less annually (with more kids), and our water bill has stayed consistent even with the addition of cloth diapers and many more dishes and laundry.

Do you have additional ways that you save money on utilities?  Let's discuss at the Blissfully Domestic Forum.

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