The ultimate trick to reducing your utility bills is to be smart in utilizing water and electricity.
The good news is that reducing your utility bills often involves just minor adjustments that can lead to huge savings all year round without compromising your comfort.
#1 Fill Up Your Freezer and Refrigerator
You may have heard about the importance of keeping the door of your fridge closed regarding saving electricity but did you know that the simple act of filling it up is also beneficial when it comes to saving money?
The foods stored in your fridge and freezer serve as insulation. These can also reduce the amount of time it takes for the appliance to operate to remain cool.
#2 Switch to LED Lights
If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, then now is the perfect time to replace them with LED light bulbs. LED lights use up to 90% less energy compared to incandescent.
Replace the most widely used bulbs around your home first. The remaining ones should then be replaced as soon as they burn out.
#3 Reduce the Water Heater’s Temperature
Note that around 13% of the electricity you use in your household can be attributed to heating water. Fortunately, you can do something to reduce this percentage. All it takes is to set the heater to around 130 to 140 degrees.
If you want to save more, then install an insulation jacket around the water tank and insulate the first 6 feet of piping coming out of the heater.
#4 Repair Leaks
Check for leaks in your pipes, toilets, and faucets, and make it a point to repair them as soon as possible. You should check your roof for leaks, too. Note that if you leave these leaks unrepaired, these might trigger a massive increase in your utility bills.
One way to observe for leaks, apart from doing a physical inspection, is to check the water meter within a 2-hour period without using any water.
If there’s a change in the meter, even if you don’t use water within that period, then it’s much more possible that there’s a leak somewhere.
#5 Dry Clothes Under the Sun
It would be best to hang dry your bedsheets, towels, and any other items that tend to consume too much energy to dry. Note that your clothes’ dryer utilizes a lot of energy. It also tends to produce heat. To reduce your electricity bills, try to use sunlight when drying clothes.
When planning to reduce your utility bills, it is also necessary to determine the specific items in your household that consume both energy and water.
If you have water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers, then be aware that replacing them with more water-efficient and energy-efficient models can also contribute to saving money, as the three mentioned appliances are among the most significant energy suckers.