How to lower gas and electricity prices for your home

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By chasingthebull
eHow Community Member

Article Rating:

(5 Ratings)

It is extremely easy to lower gas and electricity prices that you pay every month for your home or office. Follow these simple steps to quick and easy monthly savings.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A Plan

Step 1

Insulate your hot-water heater - If your heater is warm to the touch, you are wasting power. Good installation costs only about $30 and it can save you up to 10% on your monthly bill. Installing the insulation is relatively straightforward but please consult an expert so that you do not block the airflow of anything important.
Step 2

Unplug and Turn Off Appliances - Did you know that you can save $0.50 to $1 everyday by simply shutting your computer down at night? Other appliances can have similar results since they are still using power. Don't believe me? Look at your microwave - is the clock on?
Step 3

Use a programmable thermostat - I bought my programmable thermostat at HD for $40. Set it based upon when you are going to be home. There is no sense in cooling the house if you are not even there to enjoy it.
Step 4

Buy a Space Heater for the winter - The single greatest thing that I did to lower my gas and electricity prices (bills) was to buy a decent space heater from QVC. Two years ago, my gas bill was about $250 per month during the winter. Last year, while using a space heater only in the room that I was in, I cut my gas bill down to $45 a month. Additionally, I noted no increase in my electric bill.
Step 5

Use cold water to wash your clothes - Did you know that over 90% of the energy used by your washing machine comes from heating the water. In my experience, washing my clothes in cold water produces the same results, only cheaper.
Step 6

Air dry your dishes - I love my dish washer. I could not imagine trying to do the dishes by hand each day. The thing I have noticed is that my dishwasher wastes a lot of power drying the dishes. To stop this waste, I open the door once the wash cycle is complete. Believe me, you do not need to pay to have your dishes dry; they will do that on there own.