High Cost of Gas and Electicity
If you are managing a household, you know how expensive utility bills can be. Water, gas and electricity are necessities, but it is extremely difficult to find the cheapest gas and electricity providers.
Usually there isn't much choice as to who provides your utilities services, so the only other alternative is to learn ways and means to save on power.
Tips for Heating and Cooling
Before moving into your home, check the insulation and general temperature of the interior. You need to determine what appliances you need, as well as get information about their efficiency ratings. Most modern homes come with centralized heating and cooling systems, and consumption rates are relative to the size and range of the area being conditioned. Also consider installing a whole-house type of evaporative cooler instead of centralized airconditioning.
You can use a programmable thermostat to regulate the time and exact temperature of your home's interior. You can also set the time limit to turn your appliances on or off.
Instead of using the airconditioner, use a ceiling or portable type of fan. Light-colored drapes and blinds can reflect heat away from your home. The south and west parts of your home are usually the warmest parts, so keep the curtains or blinds closed in these areas. Opening your windows also allows plenty of fresh cool air into the house.
Have some plants around and inside your home to help bring down the temperature by a few degrees.
In the Kitchen
Ovens consume a lot of gas, so vary your cooking methods. You can grill, fry or boil your food instead of baking or broiling. You should also thaw out your food in the refrigerator instead of defrosting it in the microwave prior to cooking. Don't preheat your oven too long, a few minutes should be sufficient.
In place of conventional ovens, use convection ovens that can cook your food more efficiently in less time.
Soak dirty dishes in hot water first before washing them. Apply detergent and scrub well, and turn on the faucet only when you're ready to rinse the dishes. Avoid using the automatic dishwasher unless you can fill it up.
Other Appliances
Wash only full loads of laundry, and only at specific days of the week. Apply fabric softener to make ironing easier and faster. Iron clothes starting from coolest settings. You can even turn off your iron when you're down to the last few pieces of clothing.
Plug your TV, stereo, computer and other electronics into power strips which you turn off after use. Use night lights instead of keeping lamps on. Replace your incandescent bulbs with more energy-efficient fluorescent lamps. Switch off any lights or appliances that you are not actively using.
A little prudence and common sense can help save you a few dollars in your gas and electricity bills.
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