Easy Steps to Reduce Energy Costs

If you cringe each time you get you gas, heating, or electric bill, join the crowd. It may seem like a hopeless situation because this is one area that you can’t cut costs on. No one wants to go to bed cold or sweaty. But there are some easy steps to reducing some of these costs without infringing on your comfort.

Set your washing machine temperature to cold/cold. This will lower the bills that come from your hot water usage. It also helps to remove stains better than using hot or warm water. The heat from the water often helps set a stain rather than remove. it If you have a stubborn stain, use stain stick before you toss it into the wash.

You can also lower you water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This will not affect those hot showers you want in the morning but will decrease your bill. It is also a safer temperature if you have children in the house. Hot water from the sink or tub can scald them much faster than they can respond.

Turn off unneeded lights. I have seen many families leave on lights in rooms where nobody is there. Having a couple of lights on when not needed can increase your bill significantly.

Replace light bulbs with energy efficient with compact Fluorescent light bulbs. They are a little more expensive than regular light bulbs but last up to four times longer and save you a lot of money in utilities. They only use 20-watts to light as bright as a 60 or 75-watt bulb.

Also turn off unnecessary appliances, computers, and electronic equipment.

Taking these few easy steps will help reduce you monthly utility bill up to 20%.