Trimming Utility Bills (Home Cheap Home)

America holds only 6% of the world's population, but the American people consume a full one third of the world's energy. Although we have to pay utility bills every month, they are actually one of the more flexible expenses in our budget. You probably have more control than you realize over your consumption of electricity, water and gas. Conserving doesn't mean being aware of waste. You can cut down on your energy consumption and reduce utility bills by following these simple guidelines.

Heating and Cooling

• When purchasing an air conditioner, pay attention to the Energy-Efficient Ratio (EER); the higher the EER, the more efficient the unit.

• Use room and attic fans instead of air conditioning to keep your house cool in hot weather; they use 1/10 of the electricity.

• Install storm windows, storm doors and weather striping to keep winter heat in and summer heat out.

• Humidify the house in winter so you'll be comfortable at lower temperatures. Even pans of water on radiators will help.

• Set thermostats at 68 degrees F during the winter, 78 degrees F in the summer. Each extra degree in winter can increase heating costs by 3 percent; each degree in summer often raises cooling costs by 6 percent.

• Use shades, draperies, window covers or awnings to help regulate room temperature. Let the sun shine in on winter days, but keep it out during the summer. You can reduce air-conditioning needs as much as 50%!

• Close off unused rooms and close their vents, unless you have a heat pump.

• Keep furnace and air conditioner properly maintained and filters cleaned.

• If the fireplace is used for heating, lower the thermostat setting to 50-55 degrees F, close ducts and doors leading to the room, and open a window near the fireplace ½-1 inch. When not in use, be sure the damper is closed.

• Do not place heat-producing appliances (T.V. or lamps) near the thermostat.

• Check your attic for its level of insulation. An "R-38" value is recommended for maximum energy efficiency. You can save 20% on energy costs.

• Check around doors and windows for cracks that need weather striping. Seal bottoms of exterior doors with door sweeps, available at many hardware stores. You'll save 10% on energy costs.

• Put reflectors behind radiators so heat will warm the room rather than the wall. (Make your own by taping foil pieces to insulation board.)

• Install draft blockers around the electrical outlets on outdoor walls to eliminate a major source of heat loss. You can buy a packet for a few dollars and install them yourself.

• When away from the home for a considerable portion of the day, set your thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer and lower in the winter.

Water

The typical household uses 60 gallons of water per day. About 70% of the typical family's water use, is in the bathroom, 15% in the laundry, 10% in the kitchen, and 5% for outside use.

• Fix all leaks promptly. A toilet that keeps running can waste more than 8,000 gallons of water a year, and a hot water leak wastes the energy it takes to heat it.

• Take short showers instead of baths.

• Reduce the use of your washer and dryer; run only full loads. Most clothes can be washed in warm or even cold water, followed by a cold rinse. This saves the average family $50 per year.

• Fill up your dishwasher before you run it. A dishwasher uses 13-16 gallons per 60-minute cycle. Washing dishes by hand can save water if you use separate pans for washing and rinsing (5 gallons) rather than constantly running water (25-30 gallons!)

• Sprinkle your lawn at sunset - you'll use far less than that at midday when the sun causes the water to evaporate.

• Install a flow controller on showerheads. You will use an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 fewer gallons of water per year and it won't affect the way the shower feels.

• Set your hot water heater to 120 degrees F. It reduces the cost of the hot water used in appliances and reduces the amount of heat loss through the walls of the tank and pipes. (Save $20 or $30 per year!)

• Install an insulating "blanket" around your hot water heater.

• Shut faucets off tightly. A drip of 60 drops per minute will waste 133 gallons of water per month; a thin, constant stream of water will waste 1014 gallons per month.

• Use a sink stopper rather than running the water when brushing your teeth or shaving.

• Put a brick sized stone in your toilet tank; it will displace enough water to save you as much as 10 gallons a day.

The Phone

• Re-evaluate your need for caller I.D., call waiting, and other extras. The monthly fees may be adding $100 or more to annual bills.

• Shop around when choosing a long-distance telephone company. The best service for you will depend on how many long-distance calls you make to what areas, and when you call.

• Stand up while talking on the phone long-distance. When your feet start to get tired, you know it's time to hang-up.

• Keep a long-distance phone log noting whom you called, what time it was and how long you talked.

• Limit yourself to a certain number of long-distance minutes and check your phone bill for accuracy.

• Take advantage of lower rates at night and on weekends. Look for cheaper rates on Sunday and Saturday until 5 p.m. and between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. on weekdays.

• Use the telephone book and write down all numbers you call regularly to avoid extra charges for directory assistance.

• Order a directory of toll-free numbers. The consumers' edition has more than 600 pages and sells for $14.98. Call 1-800-426-8686.

• Think twice before calling any 900 numbers. They are never free.

Electric

The wonderful thing about pinching pennies on electricity is that everything you do to lower the consumption also helps the environment.

• Install fluorescent bulbs in fixtures that stay on for long periods; they produce four times as much light per watt as incandescent bulbs and last 10 times as long.

• Put low-watt bulbs in lamps not used for reading. However, a 150 watt bulb is more efficient than two 75 watt bulbs.

• Consider installing dimmers on overhead lights. Soft light uses less electricity - and is more flattering too.

• Use outdoor lighting only when necessary and remember to turn it off during the daytime.

• Unplug or turn off the power of instant on, remote control television sets when you go away. These models draw electricity even when turned off.

• Iron a pile of clothes versus heating an iron for just one shirt. Turn it off before you are done, or hang clothes in the bathroom and let the steam from the shower help remove the wrinkles.

• Keep your freezer full; it requires more energy to stay cold when it's half empty, freeze water in milk cartons to fill unused space if necessary.

• Don't let frost build up in your refrigerator - it hampers the cooling system and adds to operating costs.

• Turn off lights and all appliances when not in use-T.V., radio, ceiling fan, coffee maker, etc.

• Shop for energy efficiency in major appliances. Most now have ratings that make comparisons easy.

Saving your utilities doesn't have to be a chore. Keep good records of how much you save and use the money for something else you've been sacrificing in your budget. Trimming utility expenses has two benefits: one to your family and one to your great grandchildren in terms of the resources you leave behind.

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