Money Management

Home Energy Savings Tips

Home Energy Savings. With the price of utilities rising every year, here are some tips on how to reduce these costs.

Home Depot offers some great tips on saving money and energy in your home:

Home Energy Savings Tips

Invest in a programmable thermostat.
You can program your thermostat to increase the temperature 30 minutes before you return home. You can keep it at a temperature you like while you are home, and program it to be cooler (or warmer in the summer) when you are not home.

You could turn your heat off at night completely.
Imagine snuggling under your covers at night - sounds comforting doesn't it? Buy an electric blanket to keep you warm. My husband loves his!

Keep rooms with no vents in them closed.
If the room doesn’t have to be heated, keep the doors closed.

Turn your thermostat down (or up in the summer) when you travel. Money Management

If no one is home for a few days, weeks or even months, then turn the thermostat to a lower temperature in the winter, and a higher one in the summer to save energy costs (and it's a great green idea too!). (This is one of the best ways to save money on utilities)

In the summer:
Turn the thermostat to a higher temperature than you would normally. or turn off the a/c in the summer all together. If you have dark shades on your windows, it should keep the house cool and it won't take long for your home to cool off once you are home.

In the winter:
Turn the thermostat to a lower level then you would normally. When you return it won't take long to warm your home up again. Don't turn the furnace off in the winter as you may freeze some pipes and the damage would be substantial. (Most home insurance companies require someone to check on your house while you are away to make sure that your house hasn't had freezing or damage.)

Look for leaks in your house.
If heat or a/c is leaking out you are paying to heat or cool outside.

Buy Energy Efficient Light Bulbs.
A little more expensive to buy, but they last longer and save you money on your electric bill - not to mention the environment!

Insulate your Home Well
Stop all the leaks in your home - leaks send your money right out of your house?

If you use Oil to Heat Your Home - Fill your tank in the off season
If you fill your storage tank in the summer or the early fall, the prices may be slightly lower.

Change your Filters Once a Month
Clogged filters make your system work even harder - which costs you more money.

Keep Furnace Maintained
Just like your car, a well maintained furnace will work more efficiently and will save you money in the long run