Keep Warm and Save

BOO! It’s almost Halloween, and you know what can be just as scary? Outrageous utility bills! Fall is in the air, and with the economy being what it is, it’s time to start thinking about saving on heating costs. Here are a few simple tips to help you save this winter:

•  Bundle up. Put on extra clothes when you get chilly instead of turning up the heat.
• Turn down the temperature on the water heater.
• Close windows and doors when the heat is on.
• Replace dirty air filters.
• Cover your windows when it gets dark to keep warm air inside.
• Hold a candle near doors, windows, and light fixtures, and see where the smoke goes. If you see it  move horizontally, then you have an air leak.
• Replace weather stripping on windows and doors, and caulk any gaps that you find.

 

Sources:

home.howstuffworks.com

http://today.msnbc.msn.com

Is Your Utility Bill Higher Than Your Neighbor's?

The Simple Truth

Have you ever considered where you energy dollars are going every month?  Has the thought ever occurred to you, that your neighbors could be paying even half as much are you are each month in utility bills?
 
Many people haven't.  It is like going to to the gas station and filling up you car without even considering the price per gallon.

We all know that heating our homes can be expensive in the winter, and cooling our homes in the summer can also be very costly.  What we may not realize is that our older appliances, or unbeknownst malfunctioning hot water heaters can be costing the same amounts.

Deciding to make even the smallest changes on a daily basis can drastically decrease the bills over the course of a year.  Now we all want to save money, so how can it be done with relation to utilities?

Tips 

• Hang clothes outside when it´s sunny. Sunshine is free.
• Set the refrigerator to 38-40 degrees F. Place a thermometer near the thermostat to check setting. 
• Cook several meals at the same time.  Use an electric skillet, microwave oven or toaster oven whenever possible. 
•  Program the thermostat and moderate the temperature at night when you are asleep or during day time working/studying hours when you are not at home
• Change light bulbs. Swapping incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents
• Close the blinds it helps keep the heat and cold out and in.

For more information visit the following webpages
http://www.iona.edu/studentlife/offcampushousing/forstudents/energysavingtips.cfm
http://www.smartmoney.com/spend/family-money/13-simple-ways-to-lower-your-electric-bill-22933/
http://money.cnn.com/gallery/pf/2012/10/12/cut-energy-bills.moneymag/9.html
http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/Pages/res/CutBills.aspx