Save some cool air

Want to save a little bit on your cooling bills?  Here are few ideas. 

1. Make sure your weather-strips do not have holes in them.  Also caulk around the edges of your windows to keep air from coming in.
2. Close cooling vents in rooms that you are not using.  Even close the door as well.  No need to cool down rooms you are not using.  One room that I do it on is the laundry room.
3. Put of shades and drapes in windows that sunlight beats on directly during the hot season.
4. Buy a digital thermostat if you do not already have one.  You can program them to not keep the place as cool when you are not at home.
5. Replace you air filters monthly in the summer when your A/C is running  harder than other seasons.

Keep home costs down

If you live in the Phoenix area, it may be very beneficial to make your home as energy efficient as possible. 110 degree summer days can force your AC and appliances to work extra hard. Any steps that can be taken to conserve energy and water (and therefore money) should be seriously considered.  

1)       Install awnings. Awnings are great! They block the sun from your windows. These can make a huge difference in the summer when west facing walls take the brunt of the afternoon sunlight. There are several websites that offer customized awnings. You can also buy more generic awnings at your local Home Depot or Lowes.  

2)       Install low flow faucets. These faucets conserve water without jeopardizing water pressure. They can be found in many different styles. 

3)       Purchase energy efficient appliances. Energy star appliances can help you save a lot of dough by using less electricity. Make sure you do your research before purchasing a major appliance. Check out consumer reports and read other buyer’s reviews of the product. 

4)       Plant low water/no water landscaping. Traditional lawns require a lot of water. That means that you will be spending a lot of money to keep your lawn green, and if there is ever a time when water usage is regulated, you lawn will turn brown. Consider adding rocks and/or cactus to your yard. Neither requires consistent watering.  

5)       Turn them off. It goes without saying that when you leave a room, turn off the lights. It is a small change that can end up saving you money in the long run. Unplug small appliances (curling iron, phone charger, hair dryer, etc.) when they aren’t being used. If you are on the 9 to 9 plan, use your washing machine, dishwasher, and dryer after 9:00pm and before 9:00am and on the weekends.  

I hope these tips help you on your quest to save money, electricity and water. What are some ways that you are already saving money by conserving electricity and water?

Utility Bills

Here are a 5 ways to save on your utility bill: 

(1) If you are not using electronics unplug them.  Cell phone chargers, little appliances in the kitchen still use energy even tough they are not turned on.

(2) When using your heater to warm up every degree that you turn down the temperature you will roughly save up to 3-5% off your bill.

(3) Wash you clothes with cold water.  The soap will still get the taco sauce spills without hot water. 

(4) Buy Fluorescent bulbs from the local hardware store.  They are a little more expensive than normal bulbs but they last way longer and you will rarely have to change them.  During the life of the energy efficient bulb it can save $40-60 for the life of the bulb.

(5) Use a low flow shower head.  This will reduce the amount of water you use in the shower and lower your monthly water bill.