In most home budgets the cost of utilities is the third most expensive item, just behind the house payment or rent and car payment. This leads many people to ask, ” How can I find out the typical utilities costs in my area and 3 tips for saving on them?” While your utility company may be able to provide the answer to the average cost of utilities, you can also find out answers by asking around. For most people, however, the real question is how to save on this expense. The following three tips can help.
Install a programmable thermostat. Many homes sit empty for at least eight hours each day. The programmable thermostat allows the heating or cooling to be turned lower in the day when no one is at home. Then, about half an hour before you return home, the temperature of the home is returned to a comfortable level.
Choose to use less heat or cooling. When you are at home, set the thermostat at 68 during the winter and at 76 for the summer. These changes in temperature can save a significant amount of energy. During the winter you may need to put on a sweater to remain comfortable. During the summer choose appropriate comfortable and cool attire for the home. Use energy efficient fans in the summer to help the warmer home feel cooler.
Enjoy natural heating and cooling when possible. In the winter open the blinds to allow heat from the sun to warm your home. In the summer open windows at night when outside temperatures drop. Close the blinds at night in the winter to keep the heat inside and close the windows in the day on warm summer days to trap the cool air.
By following these tips to lower your utility bills, you can save significant amounts of money. If everyone does their part in using less energy, utility companies do not need to build additional generating plants and the cost savings is passed to consumers, lowering the average utility bill in the community.