Whether you are a renter or a home owner, you can save money on your power bill by following a few simple ideas.
Of course, you can always save more by making large investments, but why not start with the simple ideas first.
Heating and cooling your home is usually the biggest single expense of your energy bill but can also be the place where the most savings can be found. Make sure your doors, windows, and attic are properly insulated. Choose energy-efficient air conditioners and furnaces when it’s time to upgrade. Proper use of ceiling fans can also help lower your costs. And don’t forget about smart thermostats. With these, you can set-it and forget it… and watch the savings start rolling in.
Other places in your home where you can saving money include:
- Hot water – insulate around your existing tank or upgrade to tankless or solar hot water heaters
- Washer & dryer – was in cold and upgrade to high-efficiency appliances as your budget permits
- Electronics – use sleep mode or timers
- Lighting – go fluorescent and stop incandescent, add electronic photocell switches and times
- Refrigerator – top freezer models are more efficient (I caved here and bought a side-by-side) and skip the automatic ice makers (guilty on this one, too)
- Dish washer – wash full loads and skip the special cycles
The infographic below gives you a great room-by-room overview of how you can start saving.
