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energy efficient

Household

4 Mind Blowing Ways You Can Save Money On Energy Bills

energy savings at homeWant to save money on energy bills? Check out these four tips below!

Be Eco-Friendly

A good way to save on energy bills is to be more eco-friendly. Instead of using normal light bulbs, switch to eco-friendly ones. These bulbs will require less power, so you’ll be using a lot less energy. Also, think about getting solar panels for your house. If you have these, then you can not only save money but make a bit back too! Solar panels generate energy from the sun – which is free. So, you won’t need to pay for any solar energy you’re creating. This means you won’t be paying as much on your energy bills. But, you can actually sell electricity back to the National Grid too!

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Household

An Energy Saving Tip – Use Window Plastic

save money and energy this winter by putting plastic on your windowsAbout this time every year I buy a roll of window plastic from Home Depot and cover the windows in my home.  It doesn’t take very long to apply the plastic, and it helps to prevent cool drafts coming from our windows.  Heating your home in the winter is expensive enough; there’s no point in letting your heat escape.

If you apply the plastic properly and then blow dry it, most, if not all of the creases will disappear and you will hardly even notice that the plastic is there.  If this is your first time purchasing window plastic, I would recommend that you first measure your windows to ensure that you buy enough plastic to cover them.  I prefer buying the large rolls as opposed to the smaller window kits, but it really depends on the size of your windows.

It’s also important to note that most often the window plastic is double-layered and all you need to use is a single layer on each window.  Be sure to separate the layers and your window plastic will go twice as far.

Window plastic kits aren’t that expensive, and they are well worth your money if it means you will be able to save on your winter heating bills.  When spring finally comes, simply remove the plastic and rip off the tape.  So far, I have never had any trouble with the tape causing any damage as it is specifically designed for window frames.

If you buy the larger rolls, you may have enough plastic for next winter as well.  Be sure to hang on to the leftovers as the plastic may come in handy for other tasks as well such as to cover furniture while painting, etc.

Stay tuned for more energy-saving and money-saving tips to get you through the winter.

Household

Buy Energy Efficient Appliances

If your old appliances need to be replaced or you are moving into a new home and need to startbuy energy efficient appliances from scratch, consider the following tips before going on your shopping spree.  By following these tips you will save a lot of money and make your home “green”.

1. Consider buying a convection oven.  They are more energy efficient because the internal fan decreases cooking time.

2.  Buy a front-loading clothes washing machine.  They use less electricity and water than top loading machines and they more adequately spin your clothes, resulting in less drying time.  You also won’t need to use as much detergent for front-loading machines.  Whether or not you end up buying a front-loading or a traditional top-loading washing machine, make sure it has the option for a small, medium, and large load so you don’t waste water and energy if you happen to wash a smaller load.

3.  When purchasing a refrigerator, compare the Energy Star labels to ensure you are buying the most energy efficient model.  Avoid features that will waste energy such as ice and water dispensers.  Fridges with top freezers use less energy than side by side freezers.

4.  Buy a clothes dryer that has a moisture sensor option.  That way your dryer will stop automatically when it senses the clothes are dry rather than setting it on a timer and wasting energy.

5.  Choose an energy efficient dishwasher with the Energy Star label.  Anytime you see Energy Star you know it’s at least 15% more efficient than other similar models.  Look for models with a no –heat drying option and soil sensors.   Some also include other eco-friendly features.