Utility solutions and how to reduce your energy bills
Are you starting to get stressed about the rising costs of your energy bills? Natural gas, electricity, oil and water seem to be getting higher and higher in cost to you. Not surprisingly, you’re starting to take a much closer look at how much you pay each month for utilities.
Are there simple things you can do to save on your energy costs? The answer is a resounding yes! But first let’s look at which utility items inside your home cost you the most. Below is a chart that tracks the average percentages an American household pays for energy for different items in their home.
Heating – 31%
Cooldown – 12%
Water heating – 12%
Lighting – 11%
Computer Science and Electronics – 9%
Appliances – 9%
Refrigerator – 8%
Others – 8%
The first thing you’ll want to check is if your energy company offers a free energy audit service. You’ll be surprised how much money can be saved when substandard items inside your home are repaired. Even if your power company doesn’t provide this service, they may be able to recommend a respected energy auditor in your area who, for a reasonable fee, can reveal many areas where you can save money.
When you have completed the Audit and the items identified in the report have been corrected, on average you can expect to save 5-30% on your utility bills. An energy audit can produce some real utility solutions for you.
As you ask your energy company about the audit, also ask if they offer free conservation kits that could help you save money on your energy bills. If they say no, be sure to ask them if they are going to have any upcoming shows in the near future. It is worth asking.
Next on the list is the cost of cooling a house. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much money you can save by installing a few energy efficient ceiling fans in your home to meet your cooling needs instead of your central air conditioning system. If you have central air conditioning, use it only on the hottest days of the year while using the ceiling fans the rest of the time. Your savings are likely to be substantial.
As indicated in the list above, the third highest energy cost comes from heating water. There is no question that one of the best ways to save on hot water costs is by installing an inexpensive hot water blanket on your water tank. The cost of the blanket is only $25, but the amount of electricity you save can cut your costs by 25 to 40% according to the Iowa Energy Center. One word of caution is to be sure and consult the owner’s manual that came with your water heater to make sure your model does not have any restrictions on placing a blanket over the tank. If you don’t have the manual, check the manufacturer’s website online for details on your particular model. This is especially important for natural gas models. When choosing a Hot Water Blanket, make sure it has a value of R-11. The best way to know how much money you can save with a blanket is to feel the sides of your hot water tank. If you feel warm, savings can be made in reducing costs.
When you’re talking about water costs and energy costs to heat it, don’t overlook installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Yes, I know the old ones felt like you were trying to wash down a leaky hose, however the newer models do a good job of distributing enough water so you feel like it’s doing a good job.
At some point, we are all faced with replacing worn-out appliances such as a refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, washer and dryer, or other appliances. Be sure to visit the Energy Star website to learn about the often-overlooked rebates your local power company will give you if you purchase an energy-compliant appliance. Please note that savings are added to any state or federal credit or rebate programs they may be running. You could literally find yourself saving hundreds of dollars on the cost of your new appliance in addition to receiving the benefit of the energy savings you get from the most energy efficient appliance.
You can save a lot on lighting costs by switching to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Believe it or not, CFLs use 75% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb, while lasting up to 10 times longer than their counterparts according to Home Energy Saver.
We all love our electronic devices and often leave them running all day. If you can’t bear turning them off completely when not in use, most electronic devices now have sleep modes that minimize the amount of power they use while not in use. You still get the benefit of not having to wait for electronics to warm up or boot up when you use sleep mode, but you can also save quite a bit on your electricity costs.
A growing trend among homeowners to save big on their energy bills is to incorporate green power, such as solar panels or wind turbines. Years ago, these systems would cost homeowners tens of thousands of dollars to install. Did you know that today there are easy-to-follow courses that teach you how to build your own solar or wind system for less than $200?
When it comes to Utility Solutions, none can give you more for the money than incorporating Green Energy into your home. You may be surprised to learn that there are more than 10,000 homes in the United States that are completely energy self-sufficient. That’s right, not a single dollar is being paid to the utility companies. When you consider how much this type of system contributes to a healthier environment while saving you money, it’s worth taking a closer look.
