Saving Money on Your Utilities

Frugal Friday

We all like to save money whenever possible. And saving money around the home allows you to spend money on fun things like vacations or family time. Here are some ways to save on your utilities.

• If you have a traditional water heater, purchase a thermal blanket and wrap it. Wrap the outgoing pipes also. If you need to replace an old water heater, spend the extra money on a tankless water heater. The money you save on heating the water will pay for the unit.
• Use solar power whenever possible. There are solar grills, solar lights and solar fans, just to name a few.
• Install a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature in your home.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact flourescent light bulbs (CFL). CFL bulbs use less energy and last longer. You can buy all sizes, and most are now dimmable.
• Turn the valves under your sinks halfway off. Every time you turn on the water to wash your hands or dishes, you'll use half the water.
• Dry your clothes only until they are damp, then hang them up to finish drying.
• Your AC and dehumidifer pull water out of the air that can be used for watering your garden or washing your car.
• Place rain barrels around the house to collect rain water that can be used in the garden.
• Keep the coils on your refrigerator and freezer clear of dust.
• Disconnect any electronics or appliances that aren't used regularly. They just drain electricity. Also unplug cell phones anre other rechargeable items once they are fully charged so they don't draw power.
• Consider purchasing a convection oven if you are in need of a new oven. They are more expensive but save 20% on your utility bill.
• Close air vents in vacant rooms.