5 Easy Ways to Save Money on Utilities
June 13, 2012 | Posted in: Hot Tips
1. Use your ceiling fan with the air conditioner.
The air moved by a ceiling fan makes your body feel cooler, even when the temperature is relatively high. Save energy by raising the air conditioner’s thermostat 3-5 degrees above your normal setting and running the ceiling fan along with it.
2. Shut doors to unused rooms
To save energy, confine air conditioning to where it’s most needed. Shut doors to areas that do not need to be cooled.
3. Check your water meter
If your water usage is higher than usual for no obvious reason, it could be a hidden leak. Check the water meter reading last thing at night and first thing in the morning. If the reading indicates use, call in a plumber to track down the leak and fix it.
4. Insulate hot-water pipes
Insulate exposed hot-water pipes with preformed segments of pipe insulation. For a tight fit around corners and bends, cut segments with a sharp knife. Butt segments tightly, leaving no gaps. Tape joints with adhesive PVC tape. Paint the exposed insulation to stop deterioration.
5. Turn off electronics not in use
Up to a fifth of the energy used by televisions, stereo equipment, computers and printers is consumed while they’re in stand-by mode. To save power, turn them off when they’re not in use.
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