Recently everyone is talking about cutting back on spending and saving their money. We have put together a list of way to help you save a little extra.
- Check your attic insulation. If there isn’t at least six inches of insulation or it’s not consistent throughout the attic, add some insulation.
- Lower the temperature on your hot water heater to 120 degrees. We checked ours about a month ago and were happy to see it had already been done. So, double check if you know you’ve checked before.
- Put a water heater blanket over your hot water heater. We got one for cheap at a DIY store. Measure your water heater first (height and circumference) so you get the right size.
- Just like the water heater, wrap exposed water pipes in insulation. Don’t lose heat on the way to the taps.
- Put up a clothesline or put a clothes rack in your laundry room. We use an outdoor clothesline for all of our clothing currently and it works wonderfully. It’s very breezy at our house which helps keep wrinkles at bay. If you can’t put up a clothesline get an indoor clothes rack. I am hoping to put in a wall mounted one soon for use in the winter or for more delicate things I don’t want to hang outside.
- Change air filters in your house. Furnace and a/c filters and anything else you have. Helps keep your house cleaner, reduces allergies and just makes things work more efficiently.
- Keep air vents clean and free from obstruction.
- Use CFL and LED light bulbs.
- Use power strips for areas like your entertainment center and computer work area.
- Check for air leaks in your home around doors and windows and do appropriate caulking and weather stripping.
- Plant shade trees around your home to help naturally cool you in the warmer months.
- If you need new appliances, go for the highest EnergyStar rating you can find that works for what you need.
- Check out the tax credits available for energy-efficient improvements.