Reading your energy bill each month is enough to make you shiver. The cost of gas and electricity is insane. You’re looking for every chance to save on energy bills for good reason.
Well, you’re in luck! There are tons of ways to save on your energy bills. Read on, you might learn a few tips and tricks that your parents never told you.
1. Use energy-efficient tools.
There are a few ways to save money on energy bills. One of the best ways is to implement a few energy-efficient tools into your home.Â
 Light Bulbs
Switching your light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or LED bulbs can save a ton of energy. They are also way better for the environment on top of saving you some money.
Programmable Thermostat
With this tool, you can program times for your thermostat to be on and off. Energy.gov even says that you can save up to 10% on your energy bills by using this tool.
You can even get a timer for your water heater to help you save money. You get to program the exact time that your water heater is active or not active.Â
Smart Switches
Similarly to the programmable thermostat, you can put smart switches on your lights. These could be time-measured or motion activated. Either way, you could save hundreds of dollars over time by doing this.
Smart Meters
Smart metering is another great option. This tool tracks how much energy you use and stops you from going overboard. You can even get money for signing up for certain smart meters!
2. Protect your air.
Air has a lot to do with how much money you spend on your energy bills. Taking care of your air is a sure way to save on energy bills.
Air Leak Testing and Sealing
Leaking air is one of the main reasons you’re overpaying for heat. Testing where you may be losing heat in your house and sealing it up is the best way to save that money.Â
Make sure that your windows, doors, and any other cracks in your house are sealed. Caulk whatever you can to keep that air from leaking out.Â
Think about all the spots in your house that could use some more insulation. Places like your attic or garage play a big role in why you need to generate so much heat in your home. There are plenty of ways to patch up, seal, and cover those air leaks in your attic while saving money.Â
3. Go easy on the hot water.
Hot water uses a lot of energy to heat up- which means extra costs as well. Try avoiding long hot showers and excessive dishwasher usage.Â
The bills from washing your clothes with hot water can also add up quickly. Instead, wash your clothes in cold water as much as possible to save that money.
4. Do it yourself.Â
There are plenty of do-it-yourself hacks that save you energy. For example, you can avoid using a dryer while doing laundry by drying your clothes yourself. Clotheslines, although old-fashioned, can save you a ton of money in the long run.Â
Another mentionable diy hack is weatherstripping. This is a rubber foam adhesive that keeps air from leaking in or out. A door sweep is another great option to keep that cold air out.
5. Do some simple repairs.
Using new appliances will save some energy. However, if you’re not able to trade in your appliances, there are other options.
Fixing leaky ductwork, faucets, and even replacing your shower head can save you money on energy costs. Efficient tools can save you tons in the long run.
6. Do some tidying.
Sometimes all you need is a deep cleaning of some areas in your home to save some energy and money. Changing filters is a huge part of this.
There are tons of filters in your home. Furnace filters, electronic air filter, HRV, air conditioner, heat pump, water filters, and tons more are all over your house. It’s vital to replace these at the proper time to maximize your energy usage.Â
Some filters, like furnace filters, need to be changed about once a month. Staying on top of filter changes helps you to get the most out of the energy you have.
7. Cover up what you don’t use.
If you aren’t using your A/C or fireplace in your home, it could be worthwhile to seal up those openings. These openings can take the expensive heat right out of your home in the winter months. Cover up your fireplace and A/C unit in the winter so no heat escapes!
8. Stay insulated.Â
Keeping things warm during the cold winter months is crucial for saving energy.
One way to save money on your energy bills is to cover your pipes. Your hot water pipes have to work pretty hard to stay warm in cold weather. Wrapping up those pipes in pool noodles can do wonders by conserving heat.
You could also make some thick, quilted curtains to keep the cold from the windows from reaching inside your home. They would also give your home a cozy feel.Â
9. Ask some questions.
Many energy companies have deals for certain times of day. For example, if you avoid using your oven from meal times, you could cut your energy bills down dramatically.
If you can avoid using your appliances during the peak hours, you could save anywhere from 5-25% of the overall cost on using that energy. That’s a lot of money to save and all you have to do is plan your cooking and cleaning ahead of time.
10. Get an energy audit.
Finally, you can get an energy audit to save some cash in the long run. This is a great way to determine the energy efficiency in your home. After you get this audit, you will know how to reduce your energy in a cost-effective way.Â
Now, go save some money!
All it takes is adjusting a few things in your home to save on energy costs. It’s not as difficult to save money on energy bills as you think! Start on small projects and work your way up to bigger ones if needed.
You won’t believe how much you can save!
