How to Reduce Your Utility Bill

With the utility rates going through the ceiling, along with the heat you are paying for, there are things you can do to offset the expenditures. Simple home repairs or upgrades mean that you can add value to your home and enjoy the comfort while lowering your utility bills.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A determination to put money into your pocket instead of the utility company.
• A desire to learn and apply investment application for your future

1. 
   You cant do it cheaper or faster than the pros

   Consider your home: Even rental. List these things to look at. (print this article if needed) Attic insulation. You should have up to 24 inches in certain areas, or more, to be considered, "green". This keeps heat in during winter, and heat out during summer. Make sure holes in the tops of framed walls are sealed. Air escapes through wall switches and escapes out the attic.

2. Walk the exterior: Caulking will save nasty drafts, so seal the out side of your house around the trim and windows, especially if they are old wooden sash type. Make sure your weather-strip is connected to the exterior doors, sealing off leaks that occur around the doors. Also make sure the door sweep is contacting the threshold. Doors sag over time, so this is a biggie. If your exterior doors are hollow core, or just wood, change them to fiberglass or metal insulated doors.

3. Make sure you have a water heater blanket: Even renters can benefit here. Even if you live in the desert and think you don't need one, put it on anyway. This is a money saver. If you water heater is electric, consider installing a water heater timer.

4. Need a new roof? Think very strongly about resheathing with tech shield plywood. It has an aluminum radiant barrier film on it that reduces the heat gain in your attic. Then apply your new roof. Chefs hat turbine vents exhaust summer heat out of you attic at no cost other than the initial investment. Also consider insulating your roll up garage door. Especially if your service porch is in the garage. Additionally, insulate and finish the garage for more efficiency and comfort. Not to mention a nice place to park your car.

5. Change the windows: Vinyl retrofit windows are one of the best things to do as far as remodeling is concerned. Because they are thermally broken, the elements stay outside.

6. Energy star appliances: Technology at its finest. chose the tech appliances you want and install them in your kitchen. Don't worry about the cabinets and the flooring. If you plan on changing all that, you can enjoy new appliances until you start your remodel. Then you will have them and won't have to go shopping. Use CFL's for lighting. Or LED's. The efficiency is head and shoulders above the way it used to be.

Tips & Warnings

• Every one should know and trust a general contractor. He will help
• The timing and expedition of a project is extremely important
• KEEP CHECKING THIS ONE, FOLKS, I'VE GOT SOME PICS AND MORE INFO TO AD.
• Do your homework. Lots of it!
• Make quality decisions. You'll have to live with it

[gahazeleyes]

on 6/19/2009 Great article. I need this information. Thanks

[mommyhen42]

on 2/9/2009 great tips, thank you

[jrself99]

on 1/12/2009 Great post, as well as saving money you can go green at the same time.

[hlthychoclitnut]

on 1/8/2009 Thanks for How to Reduce Your Utility Bill 5*****
By the way one of your ads is LIHEAP Cash Assistance. i got that one year and it got me over $300 towards my energy bills for one year and if you qualify you can do it every year.

[Ballzy]

on 1/2/2009 Thanks for the helpful information!