Saving Money In This Economy

January 31, 2010 by Jerry Dyess
Filed under Finance

Over the last couple years the recession has changed many things. Even though several households have struggled, there have been a plethora of individuals who have given us ways to save money on our energy costs. While most people believe you can only do this if you own a home, those who live in apartments can do their part to conserve resources and save money.

Look at this way, when you save energy, you save money since your utility bill is based upon how much you use. So take a look around your home and think of ways you can reduce the amount of electricity you use. For one thing, you can switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs that have the Energy Star label on them as these bulbs are more cost effective to use in the home. It probably goes without saying, but you should turn your bulbs off when you don\’t need the light. Get into the habit of flipping off the switch when you leave a room.

Even though the lighting is probably the first thing you consider, there are other ways to cut down on your electricity. A great example of this is all the electronic equipment in your home. Any time you have something on standby you\’ll find that it is draining electricity. So if you\’re not using your computer for a bit, turn it off. The same goes for DVD players, TVs, coffee machines, and anything else that you notice is costing you money. If they are all attached to a power strip, turn the power strip off until you need it again.

The windows in your home can also help you to reduce electricity and save money. Throughout the winter we recommend keeping the drapes and shades closed throughout the night and then opening them up during the day. This will allow sunlight to enter the home and provide more warmth, and cut down on your heating bill. If by chance your windows have drafts, don\’t be afraid to place plastic sheeting over them to keep it out.

During the summer months it would be wise to switch to white lines or white backed curtains. These will reflect the sun\’s rays and keep your home cooler. We also recommend keeping your curtains closed during the day on any window that faces west or south. You can even go as far as applying reflective or shade film during the hot summer months.

Cleaning supplies are another area you can look to cut down on costs. Just by showing off your dishwasher after a wash cycle and towel drying the dishes instead, can have a major benefit on your bill. Also make sure that you wash a full load. Often times individuals use tons of electricity because they are constantly using their dishwasher.

You can cut your energy use by taking quick showers instead of long showers or baths. Turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees. Consider insulating your hot water heater so it doesn\’t have to kick on as often. If your plumbing has any drips or leads, repair them as soon as possible because a leaky faucet can waste several gallons of water every day.

Hopefully the last five minutes helped you realize that just by doing the little things, you can save tons of money on your energy costs. It\’s all about becoming aware of what is and what is not necessary. Each month when you get your utility bill it will be a nice change to see it much lower. Plus, you\’ll be doing your part to conserve energy resources and protect our planet.

About the author: Jerry Dyess specializes in the Texas Energy business and has published articles on Texas Electricity rates.