It seems like every year, the cost of electricity and home heating just keep going up and up, and sometimes many of us feel like we are going to eventually choose between food or electricity. But, even though the rates continue to increase, there are many ways that you can lower your electric and heating bill, and at least keep it at an affordable rate. Here are some tips that will help.
1. Keep Vents Clean
When vents get dirty, they get clogged up, and your HVAC system will have to work much harder to provide heat and cool air throughout your home. If vents are closed, open them up to keep them from getting clogged, and clean them regularly.
2. Use Appliances after 8 PM
In many areas, energy rates go down in the evening. So, you will save money if you use appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, as well as other items that suck a lot of electricity (vacuum cleaners come to mind) at night.
3. Upgrade Your Furnace
If the furnace in your home is an older model, it is time to upgrade. According to FurnacePrices.ca newer models are more energy-efficient, so you will notice a difference in your electric bills. You may also qualify for a government rebate for upgrading.
4. Use Fans
The best way to keep a home warm in the winter or cool in the summer is to have the air constantly moving. A fan is a great way to do this, and you can opt for standing fans or ceiling fans. A ceiling fan will push the air downward, and standing fans spread the air around.
5. Wash Clothing in Cold Water
There really is no reason to wash clothing in hot water. Cold water is better for removing stains anyway. It also helps to keep colors from fading and running. The best part, you won’t be spending extra money to heat the water.
6. Do Large Laundry Loads
Instead of doing several small loads of laundry each week, let the pile build up, and do one larger load once a week. That way, you aren’t unnecessarily wasting water and energy.
7. Take Advantage of Your Windows
You can lower the temperature on your thermostat and not notice a difference if you open the curtains and let the sun shine in. During the summer months, you can keep your home cool without air conditioning simply by opening a few windows and letting the air flow through (use screens to keep the bugs out).
8. Wear Extra Layers
Instead of cranking up the heat on a cold night, put on an extra layer of clothing, or wrap up in a nice, warm blanket. If you are still cold, add more layers. You will save a lot of money in the long run when you keep the temperature on the thermostat as low as you can possibly stand it.
9. Insulate Your Home
If you have an older home, chances are that it may not be very well insulated. By adding new insulation, you can cut down on your heating and cooling costs, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money to do it. In fact, you can get cheap insulation from home improvement centers and do the job yourself.
10. Use LED Holiday Lighting
Many people find that their electric bills are extremely high during the holidays, because they are using extra lighting. You don’t have to stop using that lighting. Simply switch to LED holiday lighting, which uses much less heat. It is also less dangerous, because this type of lighting emits little to no heat, and they do not break easily.
Featured photo credit: Unsplash via pixabay.com
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