You can make a real difference in your energy bill by making at least one of these seven different smart changes in your home. Do all seven, and your energy bill will be reduced to record lows. The great part about the following changes is that they are all inexpensive, they can be readily purchased at any home improvement store, such as Home Depot or Lowes, and they can be applied or installed very easily. Most of these changes will also improve the value of your home as well.
1. Weather stripping
Add weather stripping to doors and windows to prevent drafts and dust from entering your home.
2. Air filters
Replacing the air filters gives you cleaner air and allows your HVAC (heating and air conditioning) unit to work more efficiently to save money.
3. Low-flow shower head
The water-saving settings on a low-flow shower head will not only save you gallons and gallons of water, but it will also reduce your water heating costs.
4. Dimmer switches
Replacing regular switches with dimmer switches in your home will reduce the amount of energy you use and extends the life of your light bulbs.
5. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
CLFs now supply great light quality and come in many styles and designs. They can be used indoors and out to save 75 percent more energy than standard light bulbs.
6. Programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to set the exact temperature of your home, adjusting it to meet your needs. You can reduce your heat while away or asleep, but still come home or wake up to a warm home.
7. Heat-controlled window film
This inexpensive film comes in rolls and can be placed over your windows in the summer to reduce your cooling costs. It reflects 70 percent of the summer heat and 99 percent of UV rays away from the inside of your home.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.
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