Home Utility
Tips to save Money on your home utility
With the country dealing with winter storms and record low temperatures, saving on your utility bills has never been more important. Suzanne Jones, the vice president of the Association of Energy Services Professionals, shared tips on what renters can do to save energy and spend less on utilities.
1. Make minor adjustments to your rental home. There are a few easy and low-to-no-cost energy solutions that can make an impact.
Make sure none of your heating registers are blocked.
Keep south-facing window coverings open during day to let in the sun’s heat and close them at night.
If you have drafty doors, which is especially a problem in older buildings, purchase or make a door snake to catch cold air. A rolled up towel can also do the trick.
To stop drafts from windows, purchase window storm kits for inexpensive, temporary insulation.
Check the power management settings on your computer and television to ensure they automatically go into sleep mode when not in use.
Here are some expert tips on home utility facts - http://homeuseitems.com
2. Control your thermostat. The biggest utility expense in the winter is heating. In fact, heating and cooling typically account for more than half of energy costs in your home. The good news is that you can save 3 percent on your heating bill for every one degree you lower the thermostat, according to Jones. For example, if you normally keep your apartment temperature at 75 degrees and lower it to 72 degrees, you’ll save 9 percent on your utility bill or nine cents on every dollar. The average utility bill for a two-bedroom apartment in the Northeast is $125 to $175, which means a simple three degree difference could save you $135 to $189 per year.
3. Avoid vampire energy charges. A staggering $10 billion is wasted every year on vampire energy, also known as standby power, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "New devices automatically power down computers and other electronics when they are not in use. Otherwise, these television sets, video games and other electronics simply waste electricity," Jones says. Smart power strips can help. They cost about $40 and can save you $100 per year.
Source : money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2014/02/21/9-ways-to-save-on-your-utility-bill
No matter what kind of heating and cooling system you have in your house, you can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment. But remember, an energy-efficient furnace alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using the whole-house approach. By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with recommended insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can save about 30% on your energy bill while reducing environmental emissions.
Heating and Cooling Tips
Set your programmable thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer, and -- depending on the season -- raise or lower the setpoint when you're sleeping or away from home.
Clean or replace filters on furnaces and air conditioners once a month or as recommended.
Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
Eliminate trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if unsure about how to perform this task, contact a professional.
Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.
During winter, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
During summer, keep the window coverings closed during the day to block the sun's heat.
Source : energy.gov/energysaver/articles/tips-heating-and-cooling
