Save Money Each Month With These Little Tricks
New homeowners can feel overwhelmed by the responsibility and decision-making of homeownership. There are so many things to remember—not to mention so many bills to pay! Truth be told, even seasoned homeowners feel this way at times. But for newbies, once closing is complete and you’ve officially moved in, the initial excitement can start to wane— especially when you get that first mortgage payment or energy bill. But don’t panic! Our pros at Central Air—Clackamas’s leading expert for AC maintenance service—have some amazing tricks to help you save energy and money—so you can avoid “bill shock.”
Simple Energy-Saving Tricks You Can Do Yourself
Try these professional money-saving ideas and you’ll live happily ever after:
1. Run appliances at nighttime.
Daytime is when most of your family is “plugged in” or using the most electricity. Think TV, laptops, phone chargers, etc. This core-use time can put a big strain on your utility system. Solution? Run the dishwasher, washing machine and other appliances at night so they don’t compete for energy use during the day. Plus, electricity is often cheaper during off-peak hours.[1]
2. Baby your water heater.
Did you know your water heater can lose heat through its outer frame? Yep! Fit yours with a fiberglass “blanket” to save on your water heating bill. For additional savings, try lowering the water temp, too.
3. Cover drafty windows.
Thirty percent of your home’s heating energy can be lost through windows. Weatherizing, sealing and using window coverings can reduce energy waste.
4. Weather strip those windows.
Got a drafty room? Your windows or doorframes are probably leaking air. Purchase weather stripping at your local hardware store and seal leaks around windows or doors.
5. Use ice trays.
Automatic icemakers are great, but how often do you use ice? If you’re not a daily user, opt for those old-fashioned ice trays to prepare your cubes instead. Believe it or not, that ice-making feature on your fridge sucks up a great deal of energy. By using ice trays, you can save up to 20 percent on your fridge’s energy use!
6. Don’t mess with the AC.
Keep your cooling system set at a comfortable temperature and turn on your ceiling fans. You’ll use less energy and your ceiling fans will do much of the work.
7. Choose tankless.
If you need to replace the water heater in your new home, consider going tankless. These models only heat your water when you turn on your faucet or shower—so you can save a bundle on energy compared to a traditional water heater.
8. Opt for smart power strips.
Smart power strips are designed to know when you aren’t using your appliances. They detect when devices are in standby mode and cut off power to save you energy—and money.
9. Insulate your electrical outlets.
Simply installing foam gaskets behind a switch plate can easily save energy and reduce air leaks. It’s a simple, low-cost option that any homeowner can do.
10. Buy a laptop.
Laptops use about one-third less energy than traditional desktop models. Upgrade to a laptop and you’ll be saving money in the long run!
One More Bonus Money-Saving Option!
As you gain experience as a homeowner, you will gather your own tricks of the trade that help you save energy. In the meantime, we hope our ideas are a good start. Lastly, if you’re interested in indoor air quality—especially as a new homeowner, our air specialists are available for indoor air quality audits. It’s just one more way we can help put money back in your wallet. Call today!