Improvements that Will Reduce Energy Costs Another great way to save money is to reduce your household energy consumption for lower costs. Easy savings on your energy bill. Open the windows and enjoy natural light during the day, so the lights stay off. Update your old light bulbs to LED lights, which use less energy and last longer. Use a ceiling fan to keep rooms cool whenever possible. Being aware of small changes will be a key factor to reduce your electricity bill. Implement an energy-efficient system. While it will cost more upfront, a new and more ener- gy-efficient HVAC system can save you a signif - icant amount of money on your monthly energy bills and will pay for itself over time. Install a programmable or smart thermostat. Programmable thermostats turn off your system at a set time to keep costs lower. Consider a smart thermostat that “learns” your family’s habits and adjusts the indoor temperature accordingly to help you save money and energy. Insulating your home. A properly insulated home can save quite a bit of money on energy costs. Check your attic to ensure that the house is pro- tected correctly. When the walls, floors, and attic are insulated, it will help your home’s indoor tem- perature stay comfortable and reduce the HVAC system’s need to run constantly. Reduce appliance use. Turn off or unplug appli- ances like the TV and computers when they’re not in use. A digital detox has many benefits that include more money in your pockets. Try to use your devices less frequently whenever possible. For example, you can grill food outside instead of using the oven to save cash. Furnace/HVAC Replacement. Make sure you change your HVAC every month. Not only will this keep the indoor air cleaner, but it will also protect your system and keep it from getting clogged and damaged. Determine what size filter you need, find its location, and remove the old one. Replace it with a new, clean filter every 30 days.
Home Upgrades that Lower Water and Sewer Expenses Try these money-saving tips to help lower water usage and other expenses. Inspect for leaks. Leaky plumbing can go unde- tected and cost you quite a bit of money in wasted water. Look carefully for signs of leaks and get them repaired as soon as possible. Use less toilet water. Consider installing a low-flow toilet to use less water. You can also reconfigure your toilet settings so that it takes less water to flush. Add aerators on faucets to help save water, too. Update your plumbing. If your plumbing is old and outdated, it could be wasting water. If you have the budget, consider upgrading your plumbing to a more efficient system that uses newer materials.
Options if you own your home. One great way to reduce your mortgage costs is to refinance your home to get a lower interest rate. Talk to your lender about possible refinancing options, which can save you a significant amount of money each month once the refinance is complete. You should only refinance your home if you plan to live there for several more years. Otherwise, you could sell your current house and downsize into a smaller one with a lower mortgage cost.
Caulk the tub and shower. Something as simple as caulking your tub and shower could reduce water usage to prevent leaks and seal the water inside. Sump pump inspections. If you have a basement with a sump pump, have it inspected regularly to ensure that it’s working correctly. Use the dishwasher to save money. Believe it or not, hand-washing your dishes wastes more water than using the dishwasher. Other ways to save. Taking shorter showers and turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth can reduce water costs significantly if you make it a habit.
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
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