Happy New Year! We’re starting 2023 with Ten Ways To Save – some tips on how to get more out your utilities, while paying less.
Watch your water
You can save on your water AND energy bills by making a few adjustments to your use. Shower instead of running a bath. Use low-flow faucets and shower heads. Turn the temperature of your water heater down to 120°F. Wrap water storage tanks in specially-designed “blankets” to retain the heat, and insulate your hot water piping leading to your shower and faucets. Wash all clothes in cold water.
Wealth in your windows
Energy dollars might be escaping your home through poorly insulated windows. By sealing air leaks and properly insulating windows, you can save up to 20% on winter heating (AND summer cooling!). Good quality heat-blocking curtains and blinds can also make a difference when it comes to staying warm, but on those sunny days be sure to let the rays in to take advantage of nature’s thermal energy source.
Revamp your lamp
If you aren’t yet up on the LED trend, all your light fixtures could benefit from a bulb swap out. LED and compact fluorescent bulbs consume less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs! That means savings for you.
Another move you may not have thought of: when’s the last time you dusted your light bulbs?! A good dusting can improve visibility, so when your lights are on you can be sure you’re getting the optimal brightness.
Don’t be afraid to upgrade
When it comes to appliances, investing in efficiency now can pay off in the long run.
Level up with energy-efficient appliances in your home or business, and you could see your utility bills shrink.
Many products even qualify for rebates, so you could see those dollars again even sooner.
Get smart… thermostats, that is
Did you know that you can save up to 10% on heating costs by installing a smart thermostat?
Programmable or smart thermostats are designed to save on energy. Set the thermostat to warm your home when you wake up, and lower the heat when everyone is in bed or away. You can even use a wireless thermostat to connect remotely using an app on your phone, computer or tablet.
Be load literate
Getting the load right is the key to efficient use of your dishwasher, washing machine and clothes dryer.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to load your dishwasher to ensure the water can circulate properly, and avoid the dreaded handwash – it can take half a gallon of water to wash a single dish by hand.
Load washing machines and clothes dryers about two-thirds full to get the most out of the cycle and avoid running your machine again to get the chore done right.
Be a master of maintenance
We don’t mean that you need to take care of all of your appliances and utility equipment yourself. A lot of that work is best left to professionals! But you should commit to scheduling regular maintenance of your pipes, sprinklers, chimneys, HVAC, heating equipment, etc.
Anything inside or outside that helps delivers the benefit of a utility to your home deserves this consideration. A robust maintenance schedule can prevent costly repairs and ensure the most efficient operation of your equipment!
Bring balance with budget billing
Knowing your monthly payment in advance can make it easier to manage bills from season to season.
Budget billing payment plans are available to spread the cost of your Liberty bill more evenly throughout the year, avoiding high and low fluctuations.
Look into this free service today!
Clean and cash in
A clean appliance is an efficient appliance. Think about it: a dirty washing machine won’t get your clothes clean. Dust, lint and soap builds up in plumbing traps and on the sides of and edges of the wash tub.
And did you know your fridge needs to work harder to keep your food cold when the coils on the back of it are dusty? Regularly vacuuming back there can make a real difference. Similarly, a dirty furnace filter will block air flow, forcing the furnace to work harder, using more energy and leading to wear and tear on your furnace’s parts.
Ghost on phantom power
Appliances and gadgets suck power just by being plugged in, not in use. Just how much power? Think big: up to 10% of your home’s energy costs. It’s called phantom power, and your don’t need that negativity in your life.
It is a pain to crawl behind furniture to plug and unplug items you use daily, but there is a solution: power bars and smart strips! Plug multiple devices into a smart strip and program it to switch off at night, or even just situate a typical power bar in an easy-to-reach spot so you can hit the off button on the way to bed.