Lower Your Electric, Water and Gas Bills: Quick, Easy and Simple Ways

Cutting the energy costs and energy used in your home is actually easier than the holier than thou environmentalists make it seem. We don’t have to live in a dark, uncomfortable home to save energy (and Money!). Forget all that adjust the thermostat, install solar panels and windmills, use both sides of the toilet paper crap and relax. Following these simple steps will make a small (but noticeable) improvement in your energy use. Encourage your friends, family and neighbors to make small improvements and the energy saved will add up quickly.

The first place to look at to cut costs is in the laundry room. Normal family laundry that becomes in a classroom, office, or around the house can be cleaned quite well with cold water. The next step is to assure that your dryer’s lint trap is kept clean. Specially made brushes (that are quite inexpensive) can be purchased to reach into the trap to clean out lint built up around the edges of the trap. You can also use an old scrub brush or toothbrush. (Use the same brush to reach into the coils on your refrigerator to keep them clean and functioning well.) Pull off the exhaust hose and clean both ends as much as possible at least yearly. If you and your family do a lot of laundry, do this a couple times a year. Of course, whenever possible dry your clothes on a line instead of in the dryer.

You should also plug up any air leaks into the home. Whether it is hot air coming in during the summer or cold air in the winter, outside air can cause a significant boost in energy use and cost. Determine where leaks may be occurring by feeling for drafts. Another way to determine areas of concern is to simply turn on all the lights in the home and go outside and look for leakage. Gaps around doors, windows, and other openings can be easily spotted with this method. Various forms of weather stripping can be purchased to seal up gaps around windows and doors. Cans of spray foam can be purchased at your local hardware store, home improvement center, and department stores. Use this foam to seal up both interior and exterior holes around water lines, cable lines, etc.

These small steps alone should make a noticeable difference in your energy bills and save you and your family some cash. The savings can then be used so you can buy gas to get to work!

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