You don’t have to install rooftop of solar panels or install ENERGY STAR appliances to see significant savings on your energy bill. There are actually a lot of free things you can do in your home or apartment to conserve energy and save money.
Adjust your thermostat
If you are serious about cutting back on energy costs, it’s important to look at how you use energy in your home. For most people, the largest chunk of their energy bill is caused by heating and cooling their home. Fortunately, there is an easy way to cut back. Experts recommend that you set your thermostat at 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer for optimal energy efficiency. Raising or lowering the temperature by even 1 degree can increase costs by up to 6 percent.
Cook with small appliances
Small appliances, such as a toaster oven, slow cooker or microwave, use significantly less energy than your oven. Whenever you get an opportunity, cook with your small appliances to save money. Turning on your oven also heats your home, causing your air conditioner to work harder than it needs to. If you have an outdoor grill, use it. Cooking outside doesn’t heat up your home.
Turn down your water heater
One of the biggest culprits of energy waste in many homes is the hot water heater. From the dishwasher to the washing machine, your household can use a lot of hot water. This causes the hot water heater to heat and reheat water throughout the day, usually to a temperature that’s too high. To reduce water heating costs, it is recommended that you turn down your hot water heater to 120 degrees. If your household includes only one or two people, you can even get away with turning it down to 115 degrees without losing any level of comfort.
Switch energy suppliers
A way to save money with very little effort is to switch energy suppliers. In deregulated areas of North America, consumers have the option to choose their own retail energy suppliers among a vast array of competition in the energy market. It’s not uncommon to find a supplier that offers a lower rate than you are currently paying. This means you could pay less money every month by making one phone call and switching to a retail energy supplier. To see if you are eligible to make the switch, visit www.shopelectricityratestexas.com.
Clean your refrigerator
Since your refrigerator runs constantly, it’s important to keep it running as efficiently as possible to save money on energy costs. The best way to increase efficiency and ultimately cut back on costs is to keep the unit clean. The condenser coils should be dusted at least twice a year, and make sure you defrost the freezer before it surpasses a quarter inch of frost. Remove or cover all open foods. If you leave food or drinks in the refrigerator uncovered, it increases moisture and causes the unit to work harder and use more energy.
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