Save Money on Your Energy Bill: Easy Projects to Save Energy

Is your energy bill going through the roof? If you said yes, then did you know that saving money on your next energy bill is easy, and can be done on a small budget? Well then you came to the right place. You can save money and conserve energy through a few simple, low cost steps. I will explain how in the simplest terms, home repairs do not have to be difficult or expensive.

Easy Projects to Save Money on Your Energy Bill

One of the simplest ways to cut back on your energy bill is to install an automatic setback thermostat. Just ask any hardware clerk and they will help you find one and explain how to install it. Installation is simple. Usually you just need to pull off the cover of the old thermostat and remove the wires and screws holding it to the wall. Then simply attach the wires to the new thermostat (they should be color coordinated) and screw the new automatic setback thermostat to the wall and attach the cover and your done. Installing and using this will save you five to fifteen percent on your energy bill.

Most heating and cooling duct is installed without the joints being fully sealed. Look for any ductwork in the attic or basement and inspect for joints that are not sealed. When you locate a joint that needs to be sealed, simply use a latex based caulk (or whatever your hardware store suggests) and seal around the joint. You may need to pull back a little insulation to get a good look at the joint.

You will want to inspect your water pipes running through open air spaces that are not planned to be heated or cooled, such as your garage or unfinished basement. These pipes should have insulation wrapping them, if not purchase some pipe insulation and wrap these pipes. It is a good idea to insulate all pipes with this insulation.

Always be sure to keep your air conditioner condenser coils and fins clean and free of obstruction. To complete this energy saver simply use the hose to wash from inside the unit, blowing the debris out the way it came in.

Wrapping your gas burning water heater with a fiberglass insulation blanket will help reduce the heat loss and boost its efficiency. This insulation blanket is available at most hardware stores and is simple to install. All you will need is some tape and a pair of scissors.

Finally you will want to be certain to change the filters on your furnace every month. These filters pull all of the air in your house through them and become clogged often. If your furnace has a reusable filter then you can clean it by simply running water over it and brushing of the dust and dirt with your hands. If it has been awhile since a professional has looked at your furnace it is a good idea to call one and ask for a furnace tune up to clean and adjust the burners. This will improve the fuel burning efficiency.

Using these few simple techniques will undoubtedly cut your energy costs drastically, and in most cases you will only need to spend one Saturday on the project. Keep in mind that rotted thresholds and weather stripping is a major source of energy loss in the household. You may also want to consider changing to energy saving light bulbs or motion detecting light sockets. Both are low cost ways to save on your energy bill. One more thing to think about is shading your windows with a tree or awning to cut the amount of direct sunlight entering your house during the hot days of summer.