How to Save Money on a Utility Bill

There are many ways to slash your utility bill. Some require a little upfront expense, like buying energy-saving light bulbs and appliances, while others require minimal changes in habits. It is possible to save a lot of money on your utility bill by cutting back, changing routines and getting the whole famiy involved. By implementing many small changes, you can make a significant cumulative effect on your utility bill.

Instructions

1. Use home climate control (heating and cooling) wisely. Almost half of the typical utility bill goes towards heating and cooling the home, so this is where you will see the greatest savings. Invest in a programmable thermostat, which automatically lowers the settings when nobody is home, or when the outside temperature changes. Set the air conditioning and heat settings two to four degrees lower than usual. This is a small change in temperature and most people will adjust quickly. If you have ceiling fans, use them in the summer. A ceiling fan makes the air feel up to four degrees cooler, since moving air feels cooler to the skin than still air. Change the filters on your heating and air conditioning unit every two months so they work more efficiently. Think about whether you even need to run the heat or air conditioning on mild days and turn it off if you don't feel you need it on. Dress accordingly for your indoor climate. In some European countries where utility costs are much higher than the U.S., people wear an extra layer in the winter and wear loose fitting, cool clothes indoors in the summer.

2. Weatherseal your home. This includes caulking around windows and doors, both inside and out. You may see significant benefits to adding an extra layer of insulation to your attic. On sunny, hot days, keep curtains or blinds closed to stop the sun from heating your home through the window glass. Wrap your hot water heater with insulation to keep it more efficient. Check the tempereature of your water heater. If the water tends to run very hot, you can save money every month by turning it down.

3. Use compact fluorescent bulbs. While these cost a little more than regular lightbulbs, they can last up to five years and use only 25 percent of the energy to run. The fluorescent bulbs will actually last longer if they are left on rather than being turned on and off frequently. Most cost about a penny per day if left on all the time.

4. Be smart about laundry. Only run the washing machine for full loads, and use cold water for lightly soiled loads. Clean your dryer lint screen after every use and don't let the dryer run longer than necessary to dry a load of laundry. Consider air drying on nice days. Similarly, only run the dishwasher when full and turn off the drying option.

5. Unplug chargers and appliances when not in use. Even if turned off and not charging, these are drawing a small amount of electricity merely by being plugged into the wall.

6. Energize the kitchen. Use the microwave instead of the stovetop to do simple cooking like steaming vegetables and reheating food. Make sure the seals on your freezer and refrigerator are tight. Check it by closing the door on a dollar bill. If the seal is not tight enough to hold the bill in place, go to your local home store for replacement seals. If your freezer is not full, fill the extra space with plastic jugs of water. Once these freeze, your freezer will stay cold without having to run frequently.

7. Look for Energy Star appliances whenever you shop for new ones. These appliances run more efficiently and can save you a lot of money overt the years.

8. Contact your local utility company for tips on saving energy. Most have free information either in print or on their website. Some utility companies offer home audits, where a representative will come to your home and assess your energy use. They'll give you tips for energy saving. Also inquire about bill averaging. Many utility companies offer this service, where your bill is averaged out over the year based on your prior use, rather than paying very high bills in winter and lower ones in summer. While this is not really saving energy, it can make the bills much easier to pay.