You might have fainted at the summer’s electricity bill as the temperatures rose steadily and air conditioning flickered on almost every hour. The electric bill is one cost you can control to a certain degree.

You’ve probably heard all the typical saving-energy tips, from using ceiling fans to shut off unnecessary lights, but there are many other creative ways to save money and help your checkbook feel fuller at the same time.
Plant a Tree
Do you have a south-facing window that seems to cook during the summer? Add a tree just outside this window to naturally filter the sunlight. Pick a deciduous type to further enhance the energy savings. Thick foliage blocks the window in summer while bare branches allow sunlight to warm the interior during winter.
This area of your yard should be planted with trees that will grow strong and tall. These trees, once mature, will help to keep the sunlight off of your house, effectively cooling it in the most natural way possible.
Just be sure that you don’t plant these trees too close to your home so that you aren’t dealing with wandering roots ten years from now.
Got Technology?
Leaving home with the HVAC system running is a recipe for high electric bills. Stop the worrying and add a WiFi thermostat. These devices work with nearly any system, giving you control of heating and cooling from your WiFi-enabled smartphone, computer or tablet. Program or manually control the system for optimum comfort and low bills. One popular smart thermostat is the Nest.
Paint the Walls
Although that dramatic dark blue or black color for the interior walls is tempting, try to think scientifically. Dark colors absorb light and heat, warming the home with open windows. Light color walls, such as beige or white, reflect the light to maintain a cooler interior. Make it a family affair and ask everyone to paint the walls and ceilings one weekend. You’ll see the difference in next month’s electricity bill.
Replace Insulation
If you haven’t visited the attic in some time, take a trip today to evaluate the walls and ceiling. Bare beams and visible roofs only contribute to whole-house energy loss. Add insulation to any wall and ceiling crevice possible to reap the energy savings. Insulation rolls are easily manipulated into place as a weekend project.
Stop Hot Water Flowing
You may be more worried about your water bill increasing with leaking faucets, but the electric bill moves skyward as well when it’s heated water. The hot water heater continues to warm the water flowing through the plumbing, making your electric bill a whopper of a charge. Repair sinks, showers, and tubs of all hot water drip to save on both resources.
Locate your Home’s Vampires
Computers, toaster ovens and other plugged-in devices slowly drain energy from the outlets if you don’t find these vampires quickly. Purchase some surge protectors and add all the offending devices to them. Simply switch off the protector strip when not using the items. Trickle energy adds up quickly when not controlled.
Pull out the Gun
Start walking around the house with a caulk gun fully loaded. Look for any cracks or crevices near doors and windows. Fill them as necessary. All of these openings create air passageways for heated and cooled air. Your HVAC system will thank you for the caulking job as it’s less stressed during operation.
With all the money you save using these tips, it’s possible to invest in other energy-saving alternatives. From adding solar panels to covering windows in winter with thick drapes, your energy conservation practices will consistently yield cheap electricity bills. Go ahead and splurge on a movie night at home while saving energy simultaneously. You can afford it now.
Saving Money on Your Heating and Cooling Bills
If you’re living on a budget, you know how difficult it can be once the cold weather comes around; heating your house can cost big money. It can be just as expensive in the summer if you are trying to cool your home. Here’s how to save money while keeping the temperature inside of your home comfortable for your entire family:
1. Open Windows
Open windows and fans can be an easy, economical way to cool your home in the summer. While you’ll never cool your house down completely, you can get the temperature down to a comfortable level. In the early morning, open your windows and use window fans.
Use one fan at one end of the house to pull in the cool air, and use a fan at the opposite house to blow out the air. This will create a flow of cool, morning air through your home. When the sun begins to heat up, close your windows, trapping the cool air inside.
2. Portable Units
If you have an elderly relative or a room that is difficult to heat or cool naturally, look for a portable heating and cooling unit. These units can easily be moved from room to room, giving you extra heating or cooling where you need it the most.
Look for a unit that turns off automatically if it is tipped over, has enough power to heat or cool your space properly, and doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars to run each month.
3. Programmable Thermostat
In the winter, install a programmable thermostat if you haven’t done so yet. Keep your thermostat set between 63 and 65 degrees at night and between 65 and 70 degrees during the day. If you are the only one living in your house, you can set the temperature slightly lower if you like.
With pets or children, these temperatures are the suggested range. A programmable thermostat allows you to set it and forget it; effectively heating your home without you having to lift a finger.
4. Energy Audit
Many utility companies offer free energy audits for their customers. Take advantage of this and sign up for yours today. By having a professional walk through your home and make suggestions for improvement, you can start saving on your utility bills as soon as you follow the professional’s advice.
You may need to install new weather-stripping in your windows, fix cracks in your siding, or even repair a door or two. Doing any of these things can help you save on heating and cooling bills by keeping the air inside of your home from leaking out and keeping the air outside of your home where it belongs.
Don’t pay an arm and a leg to heat and cool your home; it’s not necessary. By following the tips above, you can easily save hundreds of dollars a year. Spend some time making a few small improvements and you can keep more money in your pocket the next time you pay your electric and gas bills.
Cold Nights: How to Save Money on the Heating Bills
Have record-setting frigid temperatures as well as higher fuel costs this winter sent your home heating bill soaring? Now is the time to take control by initiating simple energy-efficient ways to save. With a little creativity and a master plan, your heating bills will reflect significant savings soon enough. Before automatically turning up the thermostat on a frigid night, think about alternate ways to keep warm.
Fast Tips
The following is a sample of some fast, simple, and low-cost ways in which you can reduce your heating bill now, rather than initiating a whole-house energy audit.
- Set the thermostat back 3 degrees all day for an immediate 10 percent reduction. The general rule for substantial savings is to keep it set to a cool 68 degrees. If that seems excessive, consider the possibility of a 3 percent savings for every degree you lower the temperature.
- Adjust the thermostat down 10 degrees at night or at times when you are not at home, for a 15 percent cost reduction.
- Buy a low-cost programmable thermostat that adjusts the temperature automatically, followed by a toasty warm greeting when you return home. Installation is a simple task with a cash outlay of about $50.00.
- Perform furnace maintenance on a regular basis, including yearly cleaning and servicing for safety and smooth operation. Change filters monthly to ensure clean air, and maximum airflow.
- Inspect and seal off vulnerable areas of the home to prevent air leaks and continuous loss of heat to the cold outside. Caulking and weatherproofing windows, air ducts, doors, and insulating attics may save 10-30 percent each month. Refer to your local window company about energy-efficient windows for further long-term cost savings.
- Keep storm windows, doors, and garages closed. Some experts recommend you open all curtains and shades wide for full exposure to the sun’s warmth during the day and close them in the evening for even more savings.
- Use bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans only when necessary, as prolonged use will drain an enormous amount of heat from the home.
How to Achieve The Grand Plan
First, rather than turning up the heat as soon as you walk in the door, train yourself and family members to keep slippers and a sweatshirt nearby. Update your blankets to a cozy down fill for extra warmth. The trick is to train your mind to accept the reality of exorbitant heating costs and take control. Just do it, and watch the savings grow on your next heating bill!
Electric Choice Means the Option to Save Money
“Electric choice” is the option to choose the company that generates and delivers the electricity you consume. Electric choice means the option to save money if you select an electric generation supplier that offers a lower price than your local utility company. There are some important things to know when comparing suppliers.
Do you have Electric Choice?
Before trying to find a new electricity provider, you should check to make sure deregulation has happened in your area. Even if deregulation has been approved by your state, your county may not have providers available. Your local city hall will have that information available to you.
Compare Rates
Although it may be tempting to jump at the first lower offer you see, take the time to compare rates from several companies. If you take the time to do your research before committing to a new provider, you can avoid surprises later on.
A posted rate from a provider may not be the rate you will pay for your electricity needs. Some companies use smart meters and the lowest rate applies only during non-peak hours, and some companies offer a slightly higher rate to remove time-of-day restrictions. Choose the option that would serve your family’s needs most efficiently.
Type of Energy Supplied
Some electricity suppliers are generating “green energy” rather than the energy created from non-renewable resources such as coal. Green energy is derived from sources such as windmills and solar generators and may be a consideration if you are environmentally conscious.
Alternatively, there are companies that use both sources for electricity generation and also contribute large sums of money towards building renewable electricity sources.
Research the Electricity Provider’s Company
Choosing your electricity provider based on rates and type of energy alone is not enough. Research the provider’s company to ensure they have ample electricity supply and a stable business presence.
Many small electricity providers have faced bankruptcy because they did not purchase enough supply in advance to service their clients, and had to purchase electricity at higher rates to fulfill their contracts. A company like Electric.com that is traded on the stock markets and has a strong company portfolio would be a wiser choice.
Customer Service
An approachable customer service department is essential when making your choice of a new electricity supplier. If you have questions about your billing you need to know you can contact the customer service department quickly and easily to get answers.
Contract Conditions
Be sure to go over the fine print and details before signing a contract with an electricity supplier. Make sure you know the duration of the contract and ensure your rates will not increase during the contract period. Verify and consider any fees that may be involved when you open your new account.
Keep Your Energy Bills Down with These Helpful Hints
Over the past few years, the cost of oil and overall energy has continued to increase. Unfortunately, this has come at a time when people are already struggling to pay their bills. While energy costs have increased, there are several things a person can do to reduce their energy usage and energy bills at home.
Window Shades or Window Tinting
One of the best ways to reduce your energy bills is to invest in window shades or tinting. While window glass is designed to keep heat out of your home, there is only so much it can do.
To keep your home cool, you should invest in window shades that are designed to keep light and heat out of your home. Another option is to have your windows tinted.
By working with experts such as this Houston window tinting company to tint your windows, you could save hundreds of dollars per year through reduced electricity costs.
Turn Off Electronics
Another way that you could drastically cut back on your energy bills is to be more conscious of turning off your electronics when they are not in use. Most people do not realize how frequently they leave a room with a light, television, or radio still on.
While it may seem small, these daily wastes of energy could add up to losses of money through higher energy bills. By simply being more conscious of your energy use, you could save a lot of money each year.
Auto Set Your HVAC
Another way to reduce your energy usage and energy bills are to auto-set your HVAC. Many newer thermostats allow you to set different temperatures for different times of the day.
This means that you can set your home’s temperature at a certain degree while you are at work and then have it change automatically when you are on your way home.
This can be a better option than turning your HVAC on and off as it won’t have to exert as much energy when it comes back on.
Energy Efficient Appliances
Another way to reduce your energy bills at home is to purchase energy-efficient electronics and appliances. Most electronic and appliance manufacturers now make products that are more energy-efficient.
The products often use less than half the energy than their less efficient counterparts would use. Furthermore, beyond receiving a lower utility bill, you could also qualify for a sizable tax credit when buying an energy-efficient appliance.
5 Surefire Ways to Reducing Your Energy Bills This Winter
Rising energy and fuel costs have many Americans searching for home improvement projects that can help lower their winter utility bills. While there are dozens of options to consider, not every improvement offers enough savings to make the investment worthwhile. The following cost-effective projects offer five surefire ways to lower your monthly energy bills this winter.
1. Install a Programmable Thermostat
By allowing you to preset household temperatures for different periods of the day, programmable thermostats ensure that you’re not wasting your heating dollars when you’re asleep or away from home.
You can expect to cut at least 10 percent off your annual energy bill with these smart devices. Some models “learn” your ideal settings over time and automatically adjust operation according to your specific comfort needs.
2. Schedule Preventive Maintenance for Your Heater
Just as your car benefits from regular service, your heating systems run more efficiently with seasonal maintenance as well. Enrolling in a preventative maintenance program with a trusted HVAC provider is one of the most inexpensive ways to increase heating system energy efficiency.
3. Have Your Ductwork Pressure Tested
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), up to 20 percent or more of the air that circulates through ductwork in central heating systems is lost to leaks. A pressure test from a qualified HVAC technician can determine the amount of waste. Sealing and insulating the ducts will then help to eliminate leaks.
4. Add Insulation to Your Attic
Attic insulation prevents the air that you’ve paid to heat from escaping out the roof of your home. A well-insulated attic can lower your annual energy bills by as much as 30 percent, according to the EPA. If you can see joists or studs extending from the existing insulation in your attic, you’ll likely save money by adding more insulation.
5. Wrap Your Home with Siding That Is Insulated
One of the most efficient ways to seal up the envelope of your home’s structural shell is to install insulated siding. Currently available in vinyl siding products, this siding is engineered to incorporate rigid foam insulation in each siding panel.
Because the siding provides continuous insulation on the building’s exterior, the EPA recommends the product as an effective way to improve a home’s overall energy efficiency.
Several energy-saving home improvement projects offer a great return on your investment. If you install insulating siding, for example, you can expect to recover an average of around 73 percent of your upfront costs when you sell your home, according to the nation’s leading remodeling publication.
The best projects not only lower your winter heating bills, but they also offer you savings in every season for many years to come.
Facts and Myths About Utility Deregulation
The deregulation of utility markets might sound like a complicated issue, but it’s easily demystified. Since about a decade ago, more and more states have chosen to deregulate electricity, natural gas, and sometimes even telephone services to create more competition for utility companies and give consumers more choices.
Not all states have deregulation, only about 25 for electricity and 20 for gas, and some states have partial markets where only some areas of the state are deregulated. While it’s easy to understand what utility deregulation is, it’s not as easy to understand what it actually means for you.
It’s not a surefire way to save money on your bills, but many experts think it’s an important step to ending monopolies in this country. It’s important to look at both the benefits and concerns.
1. Does Deregulation Lower Prices?
When states began to adopt deregulation in the late 1990s, the hope was that introducing competition into the industries of electricity, gas, and telecommunications would significantly reduce the number of money customers spent on their bills.
At first, the opposite was true. Retail sales for utilities never really took off and customers were slow to switch their utility companies, so prices rose steadily. But now, everything is changing.
Prices are beginning to level out, which encourages smaller electric and gas companies to offer locked-in rates or options to pay different rates for different patterns of usage. New technology is also becoming cheaper and more available so deregulated areas can save a lot.
2. Is Deregulation Good for the Environment?
The answer is both yes and no. Deregulation laws have gone hand in hand with laws that require states to use more renewable energy, such as what happened in Texas in 1999.
It also means that in some areas, customers have the choice to buy their utilities from companies that use 100 percent green energy. Some companies offer a variety of different green energy packages, or they will provide cost incentives for conserving energy.
But there are also concerns over deregulation simply resulting in more electricity and gas being sold. More competition can result in greater emissions, more power plants, and relaxed adherence to the pollution laws. It’s really a mixed bag.
3. Deregulation and Government
You might think that deregulation is a bad thing for the government because it loosens their ability to monitor energy disbursement and prices.
But many times, deregulation results from enormous energy costs that have crippled state agencies in states like California. But governments are also committed to long-term goals like environmental protection, fuel diversity, and assistance to low-income customers.
With a variety of private companies in the market, many of these issues could be abandoned. It’s now up to the individual energy providers and the customers themselves to demand cleaner, more affordable utilities.
Like with most things, deregulation of utilities has positive and negative aspects. But providing consumers with a choice to where they do business is essentially a positive, and in fact, it’s one of the most important elements of our economy. Hopefully, both energy providers and the people they serve will make the right decisions.