Simple Steps for Cutting Your Monthly Bills and Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
A combination of reducing your environmental impact, decreasing your dependence on outside resources, living healthier and saving money!
Other tips to conserve and save...
Nobody expects you to implement all of the below measures in your home. Following only a few of those steps will save you money, and you can integrate more over time. Of course, the more of the below recommendations you follow, the greater your savings...
💡 It isn't small change either! Did you know that running your central air can cost you over $3,000 a year? It doesn't have to, and you can still be as comfortable as before... read on...
⚡ General Recommendations
🔌 Unplug Appliances When Not in Use
All those little gadgets you keep plugged in are wasting energy and costing you money. It is estimated that all these devices make up about 5 percent of your bill!
Tip: You may want to consider using a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
🚿 Water Heater Optimization
Reduce your water heating bill by 10 percent by lowering the water heater temperature from 140°F to 120°F. Once a year, drain a bucket of water from the bottom of the water heater tank.
For Older Water Heaters:
Consider buying a water heater insulation kit, which reduces heat lost through tank walls.
Tankless Water Heaters:
Can be 24%-34% more energy efficient for homes using ≤41 gallons daily, 8%-14% for high-usage homes (86+ gallons).
☀️ Go Solar!
Utilize sun energy to meet your energy needs and cut down on the cost of electricity! You can power cell phones, laptops, cook with solar cookers, heat/cool - the sun can provide energy for your entire house.
⭐ Energy-Saving Appliances
💰 Energy Star appliances can save the average household $400 per year!
🖥️ Computers
- • Use flat panel monitors (1/3 less electricity)
- • Use sleep mode instead of screen savers
📺 TVs
LCD TVs use half the energy of plasma TVs for big screens.
🖨️ Printer Tips
- • Shake cartridges when print weakens
- • Cover sensors with tape to extend life
- • Always recycle cartridges
👕 Laundry
💧 Washing Tips
- • Wash only full loads of laundry
- • Wash in cold water whenever possible (85% of energy goes to heating water!)
🌪️ Drying Tips
- • Use drying racks or clotheslines when possible
- • Add dryer balls to cut drying time
💡 Upgrade Tip: Front-loading washing machines use 30% less water and 50% less energy than regular machines.
🌡️ Air Conditioning / Heating
💰 Annual Cost of Running 24/7
| Unit | Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Central Air | $3,080 |
| Medium Window Unit | $790 |
| 52" Ceiling Fan | $80 |
| 36" Ceiling Fan | $48 |
🌡️ Temperature Control
Running AC at 70°F vs 78°F almost doubles your cooling bill!
- • Set thermostat lower in winter, higher in summer
- • Turn off when not home or set to 80-85°F
- • Use timers to cool before you return
🔧 Maintenance Tips
- • Seal air duct leaks (can save 20% on bills)
- • Replace/clean filters regularly (2% savings)
- • Caulk gaps around windows and doors
- • Add attic insulation if less than 5 inches
🌀 Ceiling Fan Tip: Turn up thermostat 2° and use ceiling fans = 4-6% AC cost reduction. Run counter-clockwise in summer, clockwise in winter.
🏠 Insulation: Reducing drafts can save up to 30% on utility bills annually. A 1/8" gap around door frames = 12" window open 6" all winter!
💡 Fluorescent Lighting
Benefits of Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
⚡ Energy Savings
Use up to 75% less electricity than regular bulbs
⏰ Longevity
Last about 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs
♻️ Recycling: Home Depot now accepts old compact fluorescents for recycling in all U.S. stores due to small mercury content.
Annual Cost (24/7 usage)
🍳 In the Kitchen
❄️ Fridge / Freezer
🌡️ Temperature Settings
- • Refrigerator: 37°-40°F
- • Freezer: 5°F
🔧 Maintenance
- • Vacuum coils every 3 months
- • Check door seals with dollar bill test
- • Don't store uncovered liquids
💰 Energy Star models can save $45-$65 per year
🔥 Energy-Smart Cooking
☀️ Solar & Outdoor Cooking: Use solar cookers or outdoor grills for cooking. Everything you can do in the oven can be cooked on the grill with proper temperature control and indirect heat.
🍽️ Dishwasher
Use air-dry setting instead of heated drying.
Energy Star dishwashers save $25+ per year
🧽 Additional Money-Saving Tips
💧 Water Preservation
Implement water-saving techniques throughout your home to reduce utility costs.
Learn More →🧼 Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies
Save money, time, and packaging while improving indoor air quality with simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, lemon and soap.
Get Recipes →Start Saving Today! 💚
Implement even just a few of these tips and watch your monthly bills decrease while helping the environment.
Remember: Small changes lead to big savings over time!