Saving money on your utility bills

Keeping utility costs under control

Utilities expenses such as electricity  gas, and water contribute a large amount to your household bills. But there are some ways to save money on your utility bills, here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Identify which appliances are using the most electricity in your household. You could possibly save hundreds of dollars a year by getting involved in a home management load program that offers a 100 dollar savings in one year on electric utility hour rate programs. This will certainly help you lower your electricity costs and will teach you a bit about home energy conservation.

2. Look into improved appliance efficiency. Heating systems and appliances are often the ones that use a lot of electricity. The water heater often uses up a lot of energy as well. You can cover the water heater to insulate it or consider changing it to an on-demand system, where water is heated only as you need it. The refrigerator can be another power sucker, make sure you give your refrigerator coils a cleaning at least twice a year as well. Be sure to get these appliances checked regularly to ensure they're running efficiently. A well-maintained appliance will last longer and run better.

3. Remember to give your furnace a tune up at least twice a year. You may also want to set a timer for the heater to have a regular flow of electricity whenever it is in use. Call your utility service to check if there is a lower rate offered during any specific time of the day. In summer, hang dry your washing, try to keep the dryer for really rainy days only.

4. Try lowering your heating bills. Set your thermostat a few degrees lower and throw on a jumper or pull-over instead.. You can even save more by shutting off the heating while you're at work turn right down at night when the family are asleep. This will help you conserve electricity and save more money.

5. Keep close tabs on long distance telephone calls to lower your telephone bills. Install a voip phone...voice over internet...then you will only pay a few cents per call. Use skype to keep in touch with relatives far away. Check how many free minutes you have on your mobile phone, use those instead. Ask yourself if you really need a land-line phone at all.

6. Lower your water bills in order to save money. Check if there are leaks, inside the house or out. Install  a water saving shower head. If you have any dripping taps, install new washers to stop the dripping. Check for leaks in hoses and outdoor watering systems. Make sure your toilet has a duel flush system installed.  Set up a water tank or even just a rain barrel to catch rain water from the roof, this can be used in the laundry or on the garden.

7.     Turn off appliances at the wall will save electricity. Shut your computer down all the way at night and turn it off at the wall. Any appliance that shows a glowing light when it is off, is still drawing power.

Have good look around your house and garage to make sure there is nothing that may be drawing power or using water undetected.