When it comes to the cost of heating your home, proactively seeking out energy saving ideas can help you lower your monthly energy bill. While some ideas such as installing solar power in homes are expensive, there are numerous inexpensive things that you can do to help you save money on your energy bills.
First thing, make sure that your energy bill is calculated correctly. Energy companies bill millions of customers and there is a chance that the calculation of your bill is inaccurate. If you fail to check your bill on a regular basis, you could be overpaying for energy that you are not even using. To check your bill, use an online energy bill calculator.
Another easy way to save money on your energy bill is to buy energy efficient appliances. Buying new appliances may seem expensive, but it is nothing compared to installing solar power in homes. You will actually realize the savings in your energy bill immediately and the price you pay for the new appliances will eventually reach a break-even point with the money you save on your bill. Everything after that is gravy. Finally, many energy saving ideas come with tax credits so ask your appliance retailer which appliances you can claim such credits on.
A no brainer idea to help you save money is to turn off devices that are not in use. This is actually a habit that you must get into. While most people believe that they do this, the majority do not. To start, place sticky notes on light switches that remind you to turn the lights off when you leave a room. Eventually, it will become habit and you can remove the sticky notes.
Checking to make sure that your devices are set properly can also save you money. Use a digital thermostat and turn your temperature 1 to 2 degrees in the opposite direction (hot or cold depending on the season). This 1 to 2 degrees can help save you a ton of money. Replace light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. While they are more expensive than the regular light bulbs, they last longer and use less energy. You will realize your savings with these bulbs almost immediately.
Finally, check with your energy company and see if they have a discount for off-peak usage. Off-peak usage is a specific time when the energy company charges you a lower rate for energy use. Take advantage of these times to do things such as laundry and running your dishwasher.