10 Fall Tips to Save Money and Reduce Your Energy Bills
Think you have to spend money to save money? Think again! Below you’ll find 10 ways to lower your energy bills during the colder months without spending a penny.
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Turn off everything not in use: lights, TVs, computers and other electronics.
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About 18% of an average home energy bill goes just for heating water. Use cold water when laundering clothes (it’s the detergent that really cleans the clothes anyway).
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Take a five-minute shower instead of a bath to reduce hot water use.
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Wash only full loads of laundry to avoid wasting hot water. Also, wash only full loads of dishes in the dishwasher.
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Check the temperature of your water heater. It should be set at “warm,” or a thermometer held under running water should read no more than 120 degrees. If it’s higher, lower the temperature setting on your water heater thermostat.
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Check your furnace filter each month, and clean or replace it as needed. Dirty filters block air flow through your heating equipment, increasing your energy bill and shortening your equipment’s life.
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Keep window coverings open during the day to let the warm sun shine in.
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Close your closet doors, kitchen vent and fireplace damper when not in use.
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Dress appropriately for the cold weather, and set your home’s thermostat to the lowest possible comfort setting. On winter nights, put an extra blanket on the bed and turn back your thermostat even more.
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Don’t let furniture and rugs block baseboard outlets, vents, or radiators.
As our state slogan goes, “Virginia Is for Lovers,” and we LOVE to help our Virginia friends and neighbors reduce their energy bills. Check out all our value-added residential services, then contact us to learn how you can conserve and save at your home!
