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April 20, 2009

19 Ways to Slash Your Utility Bill

It's spring, a great time to putter around the house and yard, working on maintenance issues in the attic before it gets too hot and making changes you might not have been able to do in the winter.

Recently, I read this great Popular Mechanics article by Jim Gorman, entitled 19 Ways to Slash Your Utility Bill. This article is particularly powerful because it gives a cost, and how quickly the cost is recovered in turns of energy savings.

Here are some highlights from the article:

+ Unplug the beer fridge
Cost: $0 | Monthly Savings: $12.50 | Payback: Immediate

+ Seal HVAC Ducts
Cost: $40 | Monthly Savings: $9.33 | Payback: 4 months

+ Program the Thermostat
Cost: $42 | Monthly Savings: $15 | Payback: 3 months

+ Keep A/C Filters and Coils Clean
Cost: $50 | Monthly Savings: $8.33 | Payback: 6 months

+ Throttle Back Showers
Cost: $9, for two no-frills, 1.5-gal./minute heads | Monthly Savings: $15 | Payback: 3 weeks

+ Slow the Flow
Cost: $4.80 for three aerators | Monthly Savings: $0.93 | Payback: 5 months

+ Wash only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines: Save $51

+ Turn the water heater down to 120 degrees from 140: Save $22

+ Wash clothes in cold water: Save $33

+ Air-dry clothes during the warmest six months: Save $57

I do like how Gorman included electricity and water bills as part of his listing. Unfortunately, this list doesn't really help our household much, since we made these kinds of changes long ago, but I am amazed when I see how many people haven't made these types of lifestyle changes. Once you've made as many of these simple changes, then it's time for an energy audit.

Posted by sorsha at April 20, 2009 7:26 AM