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Ka-Ching!
Save Money on Summer Utility Bills
by Diane Benson Harrington |
You've bought your home, your mortgage is in place -- and then
your first utility bill arrives. Ouch! While you can't control
winter's natural gas or heating oil prices, you can do several
things to take the bite out of water and electric bills in the
warmer months.
·
Seal
it up.
If your home isn't brand-new, make sure you have ample
insulation in your attic, and be sure your doors and windows
are caulked and weather-stripped so cold air can't seep out.
You may be able to cut your energy bill by as much as 30
percent.
·
Fill
up on filters.
Change air-conditioning filters once a month, not every three
months. A dirty filter forces your a/c to work harder, costing
you more money. Unless you're sensitive to dust or other
indoor allergens, inexpensive filters will do the job just
fine.
·
Create
a breeze.
Ceiling fans help circulate your a/c's
cool air so your room stays cooler longer -- and so your a/c
doesn't need to kick in as often. Fans also let you keep your
thermostat set at an energy-saving 78 degrees.
·
Ignore
the view.
If you're not enjoying the scenery, cover your windows to keep
cool air in and warm air out. Insulated drapes or blinds
and/or UV-cutting film on your windows can help cut costs.
·
Pick
plants wisely.
Before you put plant or prune, think about how the sun affects
your house. You may want a huge shade tree rather than a low
garden of beautiful flowers near your south- or west-facing
windows. If you xeriscape -- select native, drought-tolerant
plants -- you'll save on your water bill.
·
Give
an inch.
Set your lawn mower to cut your grass 2 to 3 inches high.
Taller grass actually needs less water because the soil
doesn't dry out as quickly. Reduce your water bill -- and
preserve your yard -- by watering lawns early in the morning.
If you turn on sprinklers mid-day, the water is absorbed too
quickly; you'll either have to use more water or end up with
dying grass. If you water in the evening, the grass stays
moist too long, which encourages lawn
diseases. Use a sprinkler timer to make life easier.
·
Choose
lighting wisely.
Summer means more daylight hours, so don't be so quick to turn
lights on when you get home. Lights not only use up
electricity, but the bulbs generate extra heat. Try three-way
fixtures or fluorescent bulbs where possible so you can choose
to use less wattage. Instead of leaving the bathroom light on
all night, let low-wattage night lights light the way. In the
dining room, put your chandelier on a dimmer switch and go
with 15-watt bulbs instead of 40-watt.
·
Automate
it.
If you have trouble remembering to turn lights off, put them
on timers or motion sensors. You can do this with exterior
lights, garage lights -- anything. A motion sensor on the
bulbs in your basement laundry area saves headaches as well as
money: no more struggling to reach the light switch when your
hands are full.
These all may sound like small changes, but they really do add
up -- and cut down the bottom line on your utility bills.
Published: April 16, 2003 |
