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Lower Natural Gas Utility Bills
Like electricity the cost of natural gas is increasing. As more natural gas eletric plans come on line, natural gas prices will increase even more.
- Programmable Thermostat
- A programmable thermostat costs anywhere from $25 to $75. While this is a small cost, it can save hundreds a year in electric power bills. Not running your air conditioner or furnace when you are not home saves hours of wasted electricity or natural gas. Set the thermostat to turn on the air conditioner or furnace an hour before you are home and you can still live in comfort.
- Electric Blankets / Blankets
- Want more savings with a programmable thermostat; use more blankets or an electric warming blanket in the winter. Set the thermostat to allow the house to cool down when you are asleep. Then set it to turn the furnace back on a half hour before you get up.
- Open Windows, Close Vents and Close Doors
- Be smart with your heating and cooling. Keep the doors to your house closed and train your kids to as well. Not heating or cooling the outside air will save money. If it is cool outside, open the windows and turn off the AC. My neighbor will run the air conditioning on a 65 degree day because his house is warm; what a waste. In addition, fresh air is considered healthier for you.
If you do not use a room like a guest room, close the vents and doors. This allows you to cool or warm the part of the house that you are living in with less energy. If it is summer, close the vents in your basement. There is no reason to cool rooms that are already cool.
- Insulate Pipes
- If you can see your pipes in an unfinished basement or under your house,
wrap the hot water pipe in insulation. This will keep the water in the pipes
warm, causing you to waste less hot water out of the water heater. It also
provides warmer water faster to your faucets.
- Caulk Windows
- Caulk windows to cut down outside air from getting into the house. There
is removable caulk that you can push into the seems of windows and remove
it when summer comes.
- Hot Water Heater Temperature
- Make sure your temperature on the hot water heater isn't set too high. On
average, every 10°F that you turn the temperature down will save 4% on
the water-heating portion of a utility bill. This portion of the bill is 30
to 40% of your energy bill. A water heater should be kept around 120°F.
If you set it too high, you might also burn small children and yourself.
- Replace Old Appliances
- While not the cheapest solution, this could be a practical one. If you have
been wanting to replace a fridge, air conditioner, or water heater; do it.
If you do buy a new appliance, spend a few extra dollars and get an energy
efficient one. Spending $40 today to save $10 more a year over the life of
the appliance is worth it.
- Tankless Water Heater
- Look into a tankless water heater. This water heater heats water rapidly when it moves through the system unlike a tank water heater that heats it everytime the temperature in the tank drops. Tankless water heaters are rated from 1-4 appliances which means they support that many simultaneous devices using hot water at a time. A tankless water heater will reduce natural gas consumption by 40%.
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