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Conserving on your utility bill may seem like simple common sense. And, in a way it is. However, it is easy to miss some basic ways to conserve. For one, be sure to only have lights on if you are actually needing them on. Get in the habit of turning them off as you move out of the room.
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Another way to conserve may sound extreme: take baths instead of showers. And, in some ways it is an extreme measure for many Americans. However, a lot less water will go down the drain and you may even find yourself healthier and a lot more relaxed. If you cannot muster up taking baths then at least limit the shower time to as short as possible. You can even wet yourself down first, turn off the water, soap down and then rinse off with the shower on.
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If you have your phone tied in with utilities, you may consider removing it all together and sticking to just your cell phone. It could really save you a lot.
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There are also options for conserving your heating and cooling usage. One option is to invest in newer windows, if you have older ones that are poorly sealed. However, it will take you some time to recoup the cost for them. Another way to conserve is to use that old system of sealing down your inner window frames with strong plastic.
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Another way to cut down on the costs is simply learning to live with a greater range in temperatures. In the winter, get used to wearing a sweater around the house and keep the temperature down. You might be amazed how you can get used to a temperature ten to fifteen degrees less than what you are used to.
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Conversely, in the summer, get used to keeping the temperature up. Go as long as you can without the air-conditioning working the bill up. If it is cool at night, keep the window wide open to get the temperature as low as possible. Once you do put the air on, try to keep the temperature up as high as you possibly can.
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Also, you might find it helpful to set up your sleeping quarters downstairs in a basement, if you have one. Basements sure stay nice and cool in summer and can be warmer in the winter too.
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Another way to cut down on your utility bill is to try to examine what activities are bringing the bill up. Alternatives for heating can be using the wood stove. If you have one, you might be surprised how low you can get the utility bill in the winter with a cord or two of wood.
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Another alternative is using the great outdoors instead of using your dryer, or at least use your dryer less. Hang up your towels, jeans and heavy items in your utility room to dry year round. As much of the year as possible, do not use the dryer at all. Hang everything out on the line. You might be very surprised how much lower the bill goes.
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In the summer, invest in a fan and take it around the house with you. The savings may surprise you there, too.
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One helpful way to also cut down on your costs is so share. This may sound funny, but you might be surprised who else around you would like to save.
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If you have the courage to ask your neighbor, you might consider consolidating to one trash bill and splitting the cost. Of course, you would want to consider how much trash you put out.
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This summer, your children have neighborhood friends, talk their parents into switching off running the sprinkler. The kids will love it.
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When you look at how you spend your utilities, you might be surprised how many creative ways you can share the expenses with others.
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The last step is to do what you are doing now. Learn about how to cut down on the bill.
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You might even ask your utility suppliers for tips. In some areas, there are different rates for different times of the day or year. They may be able to give you other ideas or money-saving tips.
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Whatever you do, evaluate yourself and your family and make it a family effort to cut the costs!
