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21 Ways to Save Money in Your Home!

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Premier

                                                                

     Every household in the Unites States uses a lot of energy.  The typical U.S. household spends almost $1,500 per year on utility bills.  You don't have to spend money to save money.  These steps are easy and simple for everyone to use.

  1. Turn off everything that you aren't using including lights, TVs, computers, etc.
  2. Check your A/C and furnace.  Replace the filter monthly!
  3. During the hot months keep window coverings closed and during the winter keep them open during the day.
  4. Activate sleep features on your computers and office equipment.
  5. During the summer, use fans instead of A/C when practical.
  6. Save hot water!  About 15% of the home energy bill is the water heater.  Take shorter showers,etc.
  7. Switch to cold water.  By washing clothes in cold water you'll save up to $63 per year just by this one step.
  8. Lower the temperature on the water heater.
  9. Only heat/cool rooms you are living in.  Close the vents in the other rooms.
  10. Install low-flow shower heads.  This will help save water and hot water.
  11. Seal your windows and doors so money doesn't leak out.
  12. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth and you will save about 4 gallons or 112 gallons per person per month in your household.
  13. Wrap your water heater take with an insulation wrap.
  14. When you buy products look for the Energy Star label.
  15. Use incandescent light bulbs.
  16. Make sure your attic is insulated property.
  17. Replace appliances when needed with Energy Star labeled appliances.
  18. Replace single pane windows with vinyl double pane windows.
  19. Install a programmable thermostat will save about $100 per year.
  20. When you need to replace your A/C unit look for the highest SEER rating of at least 13 or higher.
  21. Plant trees on the south and or east sides of your home (not too close to the foundation) and be sure to shade the A/C unit.

David Slavin, ABR   www.SellMyHouseDave.com

    

Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

David, thanks for the tips. We all need to do our part.

Thanks, Good Post!

Mar 19, 2008 07:28 AM
Jane Cruder
Northside Realty - Raleigh, NC
Johnson, Raleigh NC -Broker Assoc
Dave, I have to tell you that last year (I've been in my current home since 1993) we decided that our electric bills were just outrageous.  So we were trying to figure out what was the deal?  We asked our neighbors if they had the same electric bill in the Summer as we had.  We found that many of our neighbors electric bill was not as high as ours.  So we looked around and check our attic insulation.  It had settled all these years.  So we hired an insulation person to assess the situation and indeed, it had settled quite a bit.  So we went ahead and had the insulation blown in to the current code requirements. What a difference it made.  I would say that it reduced our electric bill roughly 40.00/mo.  We have roughly a 3100 sq. ft house. It only cost us about $400.00 total to have it blown in and I have to say, it was well worth it.  I heard somewhere that every 10 years you are in a home, you need to add to it.
Mar 19, 2008 09:52 AM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

Some good advise, I like the plant tree idea (shading AC unit). Makes sense in a lot of cases.

Your Friend in Charlottesville Virginia!

Mar 20, 2008 12:11 AM
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist
David - Nice list.  The programmable thermostat is worth it's weight in gold, we have a 5 day setting that shuts down about an hour before we leave for the office and it kicks on about an hour before we come home.  It maintains a lower temperature while we are gone then ramps up just before we normally come home.  This is one simple purchase that has truly impressed me.
Apr 15, 2008 12:30 PM
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

David - I have a feeling that the averge family is spending more than $1,500 on utility bills annually.  I think it is safe to say that most are spending $1,500 a year on gas bills let alone water, sewer or electric.

Jun 25, 2008 12:35 AM
David Slavin
Keller Williams Premier - Katy, TX
CDPE, ABR, SRES Keller Williams Premier

I agree but anything savings helps!

Jul 30, 2008 12:34 PM