In today’s economy, making ends meet is tough. Many are unemployed and those who still have a job are worried about becoming unemployed. So, many are trying to cut costs to try to make ends meet, one place to cut those costs, is on our electric bill, these cuts can last year round. Here are 5 tips you can use to save on your power bill year round with or without the use of wind power.
1. Whether you live in a mild climate and use your furnace more than the a/c or in a hot climate and use the a/c more than the furnace, it is important to have your a/c and furnace serviced once a year. Having the units serviced yearly can keep them running efficiently, saving money, and can keep them in good running condition prolonging their life, again, saving you money on a repair bill. On top of having your units serviced regularly, change the filter once a month, more frequently in dusty environments. A dirty filter, even if it is only partially dirty will make both the a/c and furnace work hard, wasting energy and money.
2. Consider replacing your manual thermostat with a programmable one. There are many who try to save energy and money by turning the thermostat way down in the winter when they leave the house, or way up in the summer, and this fine as long you do not go to extremes. Turning the temperature way up or way down will cause the furnace or a/c to run excessively to bring the temperature back to a comfortable level. Changing the thermostat manually works good if you don’t forget to do it, which is why I suggested replacing the old manual one with a programmable one, set it and forget it until the seasons change, this way you gain maximum benefits and savings.
3. The following can be done in a matter of hours with a few inexpensive things you will need to pick up at your local hardware store. You will need a few tubes of caulking (how many will depend on how many exterior doors and windows you have) and some foam gaskets that are used to seal outdoor outlets and switches. (again how many will depend on how many outlets and switches you have located on exterior walls) Once you have these items start by caulking around all exterior doors and windows to seal air leaks then, remove all the covers on switches and outlets that are located on exterior walls, place a gasket over the switch or outlet, replace the cover, and trim the excess off with a utility knife. The more air leaks you seal the more you will save.
4. If you have a wood burning fireplace and use it frequently in the winter to cut down on the power bill that is a great way to save. However, and this is more of a precautionary tip than savings tip, there are dangers you should know about, like the fact that if you use the fireplace a lot, you will get a creosote build up that is very flammable. If you do not have the chimney cleaned yearly, you run the risk of chimney fires. Another thing to watch for, is the screen and cap on the top of the chimney, if either is damaged or missing get it fixed as soon as possible. Birds sit on chimneys for warmth and it is not uncommon for them to become overcome by the fumes causing them to fall into the chimney, and that can cause smoke and fumes to back up into the house.
5. This one will save you the most money. A windmill to produce your own power can cut your utility bill by at least 60%. That right 60% or more and with today’s technology they can be constructed to fit on the roof and built for three hundred dollars or less. All that is required is a minimum of eleven mph winds, which can be found in just about any state you live in. Plus the windier it is, the more power the windmill will produce, the more you will save.
With power costs rising every day and threat of losing your job, it becomes more important to use wind power to reduce your utility bill. Click here to discover affordable ways to use renewable energy sources.
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