Saving Money On Your Energy Bill

With money becoming tight for many American families, finding ways to save money is more important than ever. Simple things like turning down your thermostat can end up saving you hundreds of dollars a year. It is important to look at some of the things you can do to save money and prepare for your future.

The Clothes Dryer

Among the most wasteful appliances in any home is the dryer.  Having clean and dry laundry is important, but it may seem that the cost of using a dryer is out of proportion with the benefit that it confers.  An alternative to the dryer is using a clothing line.  For homes that have a yard, this is a great idea.  Some crafty apartment dwellers may even set up a clothesline in the bathtub.  This means not using the dryer and no energy cost.  If this is not an option, the homeowner should make sure that the dryer is working at optimum efficiency.  That means cleaning the lint trap after every load of laundry.  It also means making sure that all of the parts are working correctly.

Furnace

How old is your furnace? A furnace that is pushing the 20-year lifespan is likely sucking a lot of excess gas and energy from your monthly bills. Consider replacing your home’s furnace with a new energy-efficient model. The new brands on the market consume less energy and they also heat your home faster.

Water Heater

How much money are you wasting on your water heater? A water heating bill can add up in a hurry based on how frequently it needs to kick on to heat up the water. Consider changing to a new tank-less water heater. Not only are they able to provide you with instant hot water, they last longer and consume less energy.

Dishwasher

Another very wasteful appliance is the dishwasher.  If washing dishes by hand is not an option, there are a couple of settings that may help eliminate some of the energy use of a dishwasher.  One of the easiest things to do is to stop the dishwasher from going through the drying cycle.  Remove the dishes and dry them by hand as you put them away.  Making sure that the dishwasher is working properly will also help control energy usage.

Oven

The oven has a couple of alternatives that can help reduce energy usage.  The first one is a microwave.  Microwaves use very little energy when compared to a stove top or oven.  They can boil water and heat frozen dinners.  They are also good for warming up leftovers.  Rather than heating up a pot for tea or a pot of soup, put the liquid in a microwave safe container and set the microwave to cook for two minutes.  If you are heating soup, you may want to cover it with a paper towel or plate to keep it from popping onto the microwave surfaces.

Toaster Oven

A toaster oven is also good for those small items that you want to have a crispy exterior.  When you are cooking for one or two, a toaster oven makes a perfect alternative to an oven for baking.  It uses less energy and still cooks with the style of an oven.

Use the above tips to cut down on your energy bill and to extend the life of your appliances! If you have broken appliances, consider fixing them. You can find some great appliance parts here. Not only can you save hundreds of dollars on the cost of a new machine, energy-efficient appliance parts will also reduce your energy bill.