How to save energy and expenses on your heating bills and electric bills

I believe I can speak for most people on the subject of saving money. We all want to! The best way to save money is with your heating and cooling systems within your home.  If you can shave the electic bill that will save you a ton in the long run.  I am going to list suggestions that will do just that for you.

Some of these are "Duh, I know that", but you may be surprised at some of the other ideas:

1. Your furnace filter needs to be changed every few months.
2. You should insulate your water heater.
3. Make sure your water heater is turned down to 120 or below (this saves a lot).
4. Replace old shower heads with energy efficient ones.
5. If you can, replace the flush valve on your toilet to use less water.
6. If you can’t do #5, save a gallon jug (milk jug) and fill it with water.  Place this in the toilet tank, the tank will fill up but not with as much water.
7. You can also push the plunger in the tank down to turn off and be "full" sooner.
8. Buy laundry detergent that will allow you to wash with cold water.
9. Of course insulate your house if you can afford to do so.
10. Never just stand in front of the fridge "looking" this costs!
11. Unplug anything that you are not using or don’t use much.
12. Seal all leaks under doors and windows.
13. Close off rooms that are not being used.
14. Turn off the TV.  I like to go to sleep and set the timer…that just costs me more money.  Just turn it off.
15. In the winter before you go to bed turn the thermostat down each degree you drop can save you 5% that can add up.
16. Use your ceiling fans.  Yes even in the winter just change the direction of the flow.
17. In the summer keep the blinds closed.  If you want to enjoy the heat go outside, this saves your air conditioner from running all the time and then saves you a bundle.
18. In the winter keep the blinds and curtains closed, or seal up the windows with plastic to keep the cold air from blowing in.
19. Limit shower time, cut the shower time down to 10 min or less
20. Wash your clothes on the quick cycle, cleans just as well and doesn’t run as long.
21. The big one, if at all possible replace your furnace with an energy efficient one!

That is my list that is kinda Duh I know that.

But how about these!

1. Hang a blanket in open areas that you constantly go through.  Bedroom doors etc.  This will create a vacuum and keep the heat in the room.
2. Contact your local  Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) if you qualify they help you with the bills.
3. When you take a bath leave the water in the tub (unless you have little kids) until the water cools.  It helps keep the bathroom warm and you already used the water anyways.
4. Insulate pipes…any pipe that runs from under the house in has to have an opening to get in…so make sure these are sealed and insulate them.
5. Wear socks in the winter, if your feet are warm then you will be about 10 degrees warmer
6. Close heat registers in the summer and block them. I live in a mobile home so I unscrew the register and hook foam underneath the register then replace it.  This keeps a lot of heat out of the house.
7. Use the oven more to cook rather than the stove top.  If you are going to be running the electricity anyways, run the oven and heat up the house. Besides who wouldn’t like a batch of cookies!
8. In the kitchen..put down rubberized matting in the shelves this keeps the cool out and the heat in and vis-a-versa in the winter
9. My Favorite…snuggle.
10. Buy everyone slippers and robes and wear them at night.
11. Check your meter …the meter reader is not always right.  I had them over bill me by 2000 watts, they told me it would catch up the next month.  No I got my money back and paid when it was due.

Ok, so those are just some of the things that I do and they work.

Hopefully you will save a lot because I know as well as you we all can use the money saved!