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10 Ways to Save Money on Energy Costs
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Comments (4)Paying for senior care is no easy task—especially if you don’t have long-term care insurance. If you currently pay for your parents’ care or if you live on your own with assistance from homecare aides, you can make simple changes in your lifestyle to lower some of your other bills. The easiest bill to lower is your electric bill. According to Energy Pulse 2006 statistics, 63% of Americans say energy prices have increased enough to make them change their consumption habits. Yet 76% blame something other than their own consumption for rising energy costs. I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer taking the blame and saving money over passing the buck and going broke. If you want a thicker wallet without wearing your sweaters threadbare, this is the place to start.
1. Watch that thermostat.
Each degree you raise your thermostat increases your energy use by 6–8%. A programmable thermostat will automatically coordinate your home temperature with your patterns so you don’t waste heat when it’s not needed.
2. Don’t be left in the dark.
If you hate coming home to a dark house but don’t want to leave the lights on all day, lights with timers or motion sensors may be the perfect solution.
3. Avoid incandescent bulbs.
Using these bulbs, only 10% of the energy is converted into light with the rest wasted as heat. Try fluorescent lighting or low-voltage halogens and dust them regularly. A thin layer of dust can absorb up to 50% of the light!
4. Consider a high efficiency heat pump.
If you have a central furnace or heat pump system with equipment manufactured before the Department of Energy (DOE) established new efficiency standards in 1992, your fuel bills may be 20–40% higher than they need to be.
5. Find out the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of your furnace.
The higher the number is, the greater your energy savings potential. Some furnaces over 20 years old have an AFUE of just 50–60%. Many of the newer ones have efficiencies of over 95% or more, which can save you over $100 a year. Call your manufacturer or installer to see how your current furnace stacks up.
6. Insulate your home.
Blankets, rigid insulation boards and dry loose-fill insulation all do the trick. If you prefer not to tear down and build better insulated walls, start with something simpler. Noise-reducing curtains not only absorb sound, they also block the cold.
7. Make sure your windows are energy efficient.
Tinted or reflective windows improve performance in both heating and cooling seasons. Frame thickness, weight and durability also impact the thermal characteristics of windows.
8. Improve your water heating system.
Adding insulation to the water tanks and pumps and using a low-flow showerhead will drastically reduce unneeded consumption.
9. Look for Energy Star labels on products.
These energy-efficient products are approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the DOE. According to Energy Star, The average household spends $1,900 annually on energy costs. Using Energy Star products can reduce that number by 30% (or $600)
10. Save money with weatherization.
Depending on your income, you may qualify for assistance from the Weatherization Assistance Program, which installs energy efficiency measures in your home free of charge. See if you qualify for the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Coveting your senior discount,
Frugal Gal (aka Lori Deschene)
Posted in: Senior Savings, What About My House?
Another interesting post! My husband used to take care of all the stuff around the house and now that he’s gone I notice my bills are higher. You’d think the electric bills would be lower with one person but thats not the case. Maybe he dusted the bulbs. I know he kept the thermostat lower.
Any ideas for high efficiency heat pumps? That sounds like a good idea.
Thank you for reading the article and offering your thoughts. According to Energy Star, geothermal heat pumps are among the most efficient options available because they use the earth’s natural heat instead of the outside air to provide heating. If you purchase an Energy Star qualified geothermal heat pump, you’ll use 40–60 percent less energy than you would with a standard pump. To find a contractor in your area, go to http://payments.acca.org/ContractorLocator/. Wherever you are, stay warm and protect your health and wealth this winter season!
I enjoyed reading your blog—I am always looking for ways to save money. Keep up the good work. We all need a little help to hang on to our nestegg. Looking forward to future blogs.
That nestegg does have a way of cracking, doesn’t it? I’m glad you found the information helpful. If anyone appreciates a good deal, it’s me, so feel free to add any ideas of your own. Thanks for reading!