How can i save money on my house utilities?

Question

How can i save money on my house utilities?

Answer 1

Get money saving light bulbs!!!  They cost more than regular light bulbs, but save you huge $$ on the electric bill.

See:  http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=li...

Only drawback is lightbulb has very, very slight delay appearing, which I believe is what saves the $$.  Very bright, beautiful lights.

Answer 2

put a timer on your refrigerator, to shut it off for 6 - 8 hours at night while you sleep.

put a programmable timer/thermostatic control on your air conditioner and/or furnace.

put a timer on your hot water heater, to shut it off when you don't need it.

install weatherstripping everywhere

replace single windows with double pane windows

Answer 3

Here are a few things you can do:

-wash your clothes in cold water (hot water uses the hot water heater)

-turn off the running water when you brush your teeth

-take short showers

-only use your dishwasher when it is completely full

-turn off the lights when you leave a room

-turn off your computer or put it on power-saving mode when you're not using it

-open your windows during the summer

-turn your thermostat up a few degrees during the summer and down a few degrees in the winter

-insulate your windows in the window to reduce your heating bill

Hope these help!

Answer 4

get newer fridge if not already, get rid of any 2nd fridge and if you have a chest freezer it is costing you huge $$ if not really recent model, even then ask yourself if its worth the extra elec it uses... fridges and freezers use tons of energy... if you got a elec oven/stove then use as little as possible and use microwave and grill instead (lp is actually really economical)... hang clothes outside to dry or even inside on line or rack (dryers use a lot of $$).... if your water heater is elec, then sell it and get new heat on demand gas or even just gas water heater (much more efficeint)... never run central air or a/c as they use tons of elec and usually you can do pretty well for lot less $$ with windows open and fans (they even have misting fans that work well in dry climates).... get up early and go to sleep early so you use less elec for lights HOWEVER of all electric uses lights are the least expensive so focus first on other areas and replacing bulbs with new fancy low use bulbs is really about break even until 4-5 years out...  look for all the parasite users of energy in your house - you would be surprised how many there are and how much they all together use - pretty much anything that stays lit, like small light on power surge protector, or stove pilot light is a parasite - others are gas lines with small leaks and often people overlook the furnace pilot light that may stay lit all summer.. ok so what about all the green energy? well MOST will cost you more that you will save until far into the future and you are looking to save $$ now, not spend $1000 on a wind urbine to save $10 a month... there are however solar water heaters that are not too costly and if you are handy you can build it yourself.... and the old standby is burning wood for heat, but if you are buying the wood then most likely you are breaking even at best...

Answer 5

Keep your shades down during the day to keep your home cooler and use less AC.  Completely turn off all electronics.  Many go to standby or "vampire" mode where they still consume large amounts of electricity.  Turn off the light when you leave the room.  Do laundry on "off-peak" times when electricity is cheaper.  Keep your thermostat at a reasonably comfortable level.  Not too warm (winter) not too cool (summer).