'Cutting Utility Bills' Category

Water is a precious resource in many parts of the country, worth treating with care. In many regions it is also increasingly expensive. These measures can cut your water consumption. [...] Read More

You can definitely save on energy costs by heating or cooling your house less than you normally do. But using your thermostat judiciously can also help. A programmable thermostat can help you trim your utility bills by adjusting your home's temperature to your exact needs throughout the day. [...] Read More

Water heater savings. There are two simple ways to save energy on your water heater: wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is an old uninsulated model and turn down the temperature to 120 degrees F. [...] Read More

A good time to make some energy-saving moves is when you are buying refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, furnaces, hot-water heaters and other new home appliances. Investing in new energy-efficient models can result in significant cost savings. [...] Read More

One of the simplest and least expensive ways to cut heating bills and make drafty rooms more comfortable is to seal gaps around doors and windows, reducing the infiltration of cold air inside and the migration of heat outside. [...] Read More

Caulk is a flexible gap filler that maintains a seal between building materials despite seasonal contractions. Every house needs it to seal cracks around windows and doors, between trim and siding, where wood and masonry meet and around plumbing, venting and electrical points. It is important to inspect your house's caulk lines every few years and re-caulk problem areas. [...] Read More

The walls in older homes often are not insulated. But it's not always easy to tell if they are insulated. A good place to start is the attic. If it isn't insulated, your walls probably aren't insulated either. [...] Read More

Replacing old windows provides a good example of how to evaluate the true cost savings of an energy-wise home improvement. New energy-efficient windows are expensive, but can significantly reduce heating and cooling expenses. When building a new house, it pays to install the most efficient windows that you can afford. [...] Read More

Using less electricity, heating fuel and water is good for the planet as well as for your budget. So our topic for our next blog posts will be ideas that are easy to adapt to your home. Remember that not all energy-saving projects are equally cost effective. [...] Read More