By making simple changes in a few key areas of home expenses, you may be able to save hundreds of dollars a year.

Electricity

One of the simplest and easiest ways to save electricity is to switch from incandescent bulbs to all compact florescent bulbs. One bulb saves about $30 and pays for itself in about 6 months. Plus it uses 75 percent less energy and lasts 10 times longer so you won’t have to change them as often. Just think of all the power you can save if all the bulbs in your house were changed. Also, have your electronics, such as your TV and computer equipment plugged into a power strip and be sure to switch off the power at night and even when leaving the house since some electronics can still draw power even when they are turned off. If upgrading appliances, choose ones that are Energy Star qualified. No matter what kind of appliances you do have, use them efficiently. For instance, only run the dishwasher, washers, and dryers if they are full, even if that means you have to wait longer in between loads. Washing clothes in cold water saves electricity also. Maybe instead of firing the regular oven for small dishes and meals, consider using a smaller toaster or countertop oven, especially if you are just preparing snacks and other small items. To save money on heating and air conditioning costs, close any large gaps underneath doors that cause drafts. You can purchase special covers at a regular home supply store.

Water

With an easy flip of a handle, it’s easy for households to go overboard on water consumption. But there are some simple ways to cut back, and most of them involve just paying more attention of how much water is being used at a given time. For instance, turning off the tap while you brush your teeth can save up to 8 gallons of water every day for one person. You may not even be aware that the water was still turned out while you brushed. Tell your whole family to turn off the water while they brush and you can save hundreds of gallons of water a month. When washing your car, use the bucket and sponge method instead of the hose. You can be using gallons and gallons of water in just a minute of using a hose. There are even new “waterless” car washing products on the market, where the only thing you need is the product that you spray on, and a couple towels that you use to wipe the product off. Take the time to do an entire house check for leaks and get them fixed as soon as possible. All those leaks can add up to hundreds of gallons of wasted water in a single day.

Home Insurance

Choose higher deductibles so that you can save money on your home insurance premiums. Just raising your deductible a few hundred dollars more can save maybe a fourth of your premium. Consider purchasing a home insurance policy from the same company as your auto insurance, since some may offer discounts for having more than one policy with them. But always compare with other companies also to really see which one is less expensive after all. Upgrading to include safer features in your home, such as storm shutters, deadbolt locks, burglar alarm, and other improvements to make your home stronger against natural disasters can save you money on premiums also, so make appropriate inquires to your insurance company.

Shayna Adler
Guest Blogger