More hot weather is on the way in the Ozarks as we trudge through the rest of summer, and if you’re up to your eyes in utility bills, you might be able to bring those costs down by implementing a handful of cost-saving tactics.
Energy = Money
First things first, energy is money. If you didn’t already know this, now you do, and everything from here follows this foundational principle. The less energy you use, the more money you save. This is true for your home, your car, and even your grocery list.
Tactic #1: Heating & Cooling
According to City Utilities, up to 44% of your energy use is from heating and cooling. It’s estimated that you can save between 1% and 3 % on your energy bill for every degree you raise your air conditioner in the summer and lower your heater in the winter. This means raising your air conditioner from 70° to 78° could save you up to 10% on your utility bill. If you can stay comfortable, give it a try.
Tactic #2: Lights & Appliances
Use natural light to your advantage. Replace all lights with LED’s. Unplug unused appliances. These steps may only knock off a few dollars, but they will help reduce your overall power usage and electric bill. For example, I keep my coffee pot unplugged except on the weekends. HUGE thank you to Ozarks First for the coffee!
According to HVAC company Trane, running an oven, stovetop, or even a dryer during the hottest part of the day can raise your home’s temperature by 10°. They recommend waiting until after 8 PM before using those appliances. That may seem unrealistic if you’re cooking for dinner, but consider putting off anything extra that can wait until later in the evening.
Tactic #3: Hot Water
Heat = energy = money.
I enjoy a long hot shower as much as the next guy, but remember, it takes energy to create heat, and energy takes your money. It’s estimated that water heating makes up 14% of your utility bill…