The price of running a home goes up a great deal when you don’t have control over the cost of your utilities. The price tag on these bills runs the average home dweller $300 or $400 a month. That adds up. The good news is these expenses don’t have to cost as much as they do. If you want to reduce the amount you pay on your monthly utility bills, then consider trying the following three tips.
Make Repairs Around Your House
Keeping your home in good shape helps you to save money on utility bills in the long run. Performing tasks like replacing the filter on your AC unit and sealing the cracks in the windows or doors means that your appliances don’t have to work quite as hard. High Quality Home Maintenance recommends making regular repairs to the exterior of your home because having a durable roof reduces utility costs.
Unplug
It’s not enough to merely turn off your appliances when you want to save money on your utility bills. It’s best to unplug appliances and electronics when you can. Items like computers, electronic games, and other devices suck up a lot of energy and can cost you an extra $100 or more over the course of the year. Save the $100 by unplugging these items when they’re not in use.
Go Low Tech
It’s tempting to crank up the heat in the winter or the air conditioning in the summer. However, these appliances cost a great deal of money to run and there are cheaper alternatives. When it gets cold outside, put on a sweater, and sit under a blanket in the evening. When it’s hot outside, keep the blinds and doors closed. Use fans instead of air conditioning most of the time. SunSetter Awnings recommends putting awnings and shades on the windows on the outside of the house. These items provide an extra shield against the sun, making it easier to keep your home cool.
It is possible to save a chunk of money on your utility bills, but doing so takes a bit of forethought as well as some specific strategies for lowering costs. By implementing the ideas in this post, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars a year. After all, any repairs you have to make in the name of saving money will pay for themselves over the course of time.
Looking for more ways to save money? Check out our grocery coupons.