Frugal Living: 10 Ways To Save On Your Utility Bill

Being frugal is not just about using coupons and saving money on groceries.  Frugal living is also about changing life style habits and reducing costs in other areas of your life.  One of the best ways to cut costs is to save money on your utilities.  Below are 10 sure fire ways to help you reduce your energy costs.

1) Switch to CFL’s Bulbs

Replacing regular bulbs with CFL bulbs is a something that everyone can do. Although the initial cost of the bulb may be a little more, you’ll use 75% less energy and the bulb will last up to 10 times longer.

2) Install Motion Sensors

Motion sensors automatically turn lights on and off so you only get light when you need it. They are great for bedrooms because they will not turn on when you move in your sleep.

Use timers to control bathroom fans. The fan will turn off at a predetermined time after the bathroom has aired out.

3) Purchase Energy Star appliances

Is it time for you to replace an appliance?  If so, be sure to look for the Energy Star label.  This label means that the appliance meets certain energy efficiency guidelines. The average family spends $2,000 each year on their energy bill. Using Energy Star appliances can cut this bill by 30%. You don’t have to replace all of your appliances to see a savings. Just replacing your refrigerator with an Energy Star product can save approximately $110 yearly.

4)  Service Your Air Conditioner

Approximately one half of your home’s annual energy bill, or $1,000, is spent on heating and cooling.  An air conditioner sitting in the direct sunlight uses about 10% percent more electricity. Place units on the north side of your home, cover with an awning or plant shrubs or trees nearby will all shade your unit.

Keep window or central air units tuned up so they run at peak efficiency.  Every two to three years, have a professional come out to inspect the unit and refrigerant.  The $150 cost is well worth the savings.

If your unit is over 12 years old, replace it with an Energy Star unit. This can cut your cooling cost by about 30% and save on maintenance costs.

5) Turn Off Energy Hogs

Believe it or not, 75% of the electrical use by home electronics occurs when they are not turned off. Leaving on TV’s, radios, computers, etc. suck up energy and can cost you $100 per year. Unplug your electronics or plug them into a power strip and cut off the strip when not in use.

Don’t worry about losing your settings on your TV, VCR or DVR because new models have a memory chip which will reset everything once turned back on.

6) Clean Out That Dryer Lint Screen

Clogged lint screens or dryer ducts can drastically reduce the efficiency of your dryer. Clean the lint screen each load and clean the exhaust duct once per year.

Electric dryers use about $85 of electricity annually. A dirty lint screen can use up to 30% more energy.

Another tip: dry loads back to back so the dryer does not have time to cool down. (A warm dryer uses less energy)

7) Replace Furnace Filters

Don’t forget to replace your furnace filter monthly.  Doing so increases the efficiency of your unit.

8) Save on Electric Water Heater

Install an electronic timer switch to turn the water heater off during times when water is not being used. Timers can be programmed for daily or weekly schedules.

Also, drain and flush your heater periodically to remove sediment; otherwise your heater could be heating through inches of sediment before heating the water.

If your water heater is out in a garage or outside storage area, be sure to wrap it with an insulating blanket to prevent it losing heat.

9)  Get a Smart Meter

Smart Meters are obtained from utility companies and vary from company to company. The meter keeps track of how much electricity you are using. Some companies pay you for signing up. They also reward you for using electricity in off peak periods.

Having a smart meter is especially effective if you are gone all day because you do not realize when appliances are turned off.   You can save 7% or approximately $140 per year by using a smart meter.

10)  Fill Up That Refrigerator And Freezer

The freezer and fridge run more efficiently when they are full. Put water bottles in the fridge and ice bags in the freezer to keep them filled. The most efficient temperature setting for your refrigerator is 35-38 degrees and the freezer between 0-5 degrees.

Don’t forget to vacuum/clean the coils of your refrigerator twice a year to cut your energy costs by 30-50%.

Did you know….

that you can actually monitor your electricity usage? Electric monitors can give you real time readout of how much electricity you are using from minute to minute or on a monthly basis. By seeing this readout, you can understand how to reduce consumption. Electric meters can be purchased at Target, Amazon.Com, and Black & Decker.

What ideas do you have for cutting energy costs?

Tips for this post were found in the HandyMan magazine.

Barbara gives you tips on how to live frugally.  She has been blogging at ClipperGirl’s Saving Spot for over 3 years.  You will find coupons, store deals and coupon match ups,printable coupons, freebies and much more.  You can sign up for her FREE daily newsletter by email list or in a reader.  She would love for you to join her on Facebook and Twitter.