Green living benefits more than the environment. It can save you a ton of money, too! One area of green living I frequently advocate for is how to save on your utility bills by practicing some smart habits to reduce your electricity and water consumption. Here are some ways you can lower your utility bill, save money, and live a greener life:
Fill in the Gaps
There are lots of places where air from outside can find its way into your home. This is a problem especially in the winter. A drafty house can lose a lot of heat. Search for all the gaps and cold areas. Consider covering outlets, using weather stripping, and sealing up any areas that cause you to lose heat and air.
Take Short Showers
This is a hard one for me because I love to shower, and I especially love hot water. Taking a shorter shower and not cranking the heat can save water and is better for your water heater.
Adapt your Laundry Habits
Skipping the hot water for your clothes will save energy and is just as effective at cleaning. Unless a garment specifically calls for warm or hot water, there’s no need to use that extra energy. Making your appliances work less can help extend their life and cold water can also be better for maintaining your clothing items longer. Also, line drying your clothes costs no energy and is also better for the quality of your clothing.
Replace the Air Filter
The quality of air in your home can be improved dramatically with an air filter, but it also helps your heating and cooling appliances. Not changing the filter regularly can result in a lot of dusty build up, more cleaning, and a higher utility bill.
Unplug Appliances
When not in use, consider unplugging your laptop, small appliances, and other electronics. Even when they’re not being operated, many of these electronics continue to leach electricity. This is known as phantom power. You can cut down on your electric bill by simply unplugging all the electronics you don’t regularly use.
Adjust the Thermostat
When you leave the house, adjust the heat/cool on your thermostat. I try to keep it on 74 in the hot months and 68 in the winter. Also, consider wearing a sweater around the house in the chilly months and using a fan in the warmer months. I’m a person who has a hard time sleeping in the heat, so I tend to run mine on 72 degrees at night, but during the day, there’s no reason to keep it at that temperature. You can expect big savings on your utility bills, just be adjusting the thermostat and adapting to the temperature.
Maintain your Refrigerator
Adjust the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer according to it’s optimal instructions. 38 degrees is standard and 5 degrees for the freezer. Pack your freezer full, using ice bags or frozen vegetables for optimal use. Having empty space to cool takes more energy. Also, store food items in their best locations (crisper for vegetables and fruits, etc.) to avoid food waste.
Use a Dishwasher
A dishwasher is actually more environmentally friendly than washing by hand, but if you don’t have that option, consider using less soap and less water unless needed. Consider skipping the heating and drying features on the dishwater and running it at night.
Turn off the Desktop
Letting your computer run for long periods of time can waste a lot of electricity. Put it into sleep mode when stepping away for awhile, and better yet, turn it off entirely when it’s not in use. This is also better for the computer’s maintenance.
Consider Solar Power
If your house is positioned in the right way, having solar panels installed can save a ton on your utilities especially if you don’t use a lot of electricity to begin with. Solar power is improving more and more and becoming far more accessible to the public.
These are just some of the ways you can save on your utility bill and live a greener life. What’s your favorite way to lower your utility bill?