Energy saving tips around the house

I know if you are like me, you like saving money. There are a lot of complicated formulas and advice out there on what to do to save money. This article is not like that. These are simple things you can do every day around you house to save money.

First of all, start in your bathroom.

1. Install flow restrictors on your existing show head or get low flow ones. I like the low flow ones. Even though they don’t always give you turbo water pressure, they will save you money.

2. Set your water heater as low as comfortable. You don’t have to have 150 degree water to take a shower. You aren’t trying to boil an egg here.

3. Wrap your water heater in a blanket as well, like a baby. This will save energy that otherwise just goes off into the ether.

4. Replace any leaky washers in faucets as well to save water, and repair any leaky toilets or pipes. Next, move on to other rooms.

1. Unplug any unused appliances. You don’t need to keep that lava lamp that hasn’t worked since 1978 plugged in. It could still be sucking some energy.

2. Turn off lights and open the windows for natural light. Consider going to bed a couple minutes earlier and waking up the same to use more natural light.

3. In the summer, open your windows at night to let cool air in and then close them during the day to keep the heat out. Get an attic fan to improve natural ventilation.

4. In winter, seal your windows with plastic wrap to add yet another layer of insulation to the equation. It will be an adventure, kind of like living in a bubble.

5. Set your thermostat to below 70 in the winter and above 80 in the summer to save maximum energy. Stock up on parkas to keep warm if you really want to lower the temp.

6. Program your thermostat as well to turn off at night when you are sleeping all cozy in your bed. No need to heat the whole house when you are under 10 blankets.

Next, we look at the kitchen.

1. Make sure and keep your refrigerator closed unless you really need something. Don’t just stand in front of the open door with the deer in the headlights gaze.

2. Also, clean the coils on your fridge every few months to keep it running efficiently. No one actually does this, but it is a good suggestion.

3. Defrost your unit as well if ice builds up. Unless you have a 20 year old fridge this usually isn’t necessary, but hey, I had a 40 year old one in a rental unit that still worked, so just in case.

4. Use your dishwasher only when you have a full load, don’t use the ultra hot wash, and try not to use the turbo dry cycle. Air dry may take a bit longer, but it costs a lot more.

5. Try to cook many meals at once, heating up your oven and cooktop only once. This takes some planning, but it you are a hard core money saver, this will help.

6. Use the top instead of the oven as well, which is more efficient unless you are cooking a roast or 20 pound turkey.

7. When you are washing your clothes, try to do full loads. If you don’t have enough whites, put them to the side and wait till your tighty whities build up before doing a load.

8. Use cold water when doing laundry. I find most detergents clean with cold or hot just about the same, so save the hot water.

9. Clean the lint trap on your dryer every time after use, and don’t use the highest possible setting when drying.

10. Also, think about hanging out your wash old school style. Your neighbors may laugh at your pokedot panties, but you will have the last laugh when your bank account grows. By doing just a few common sense things, you can save a lot of money. These tips take just seconds in most cases (and you know how I feel about time), so why not try them?