Everyone is always looking for great ways to cutback on spending, whether it’s cutting-out that second latté from your favourite café or dining out less. But there are also plenty of things within your household that you can do to reduce your spending as well as your environmental footprint, many of which are much easier than you might have imagined. If you’re considering making some changes around the household to start saving a little extra cash and are wondering where to start, here are 5 great ways to reduce the money you spend on your energy bill each month.
1. Replace Your Appliances
It may not sound like it, but one of the best ways to start saving money around the house is actually by investing in your home’s infrastructure, and old appliances are a good place to start. Replacing older models of fridges, freezer, washers, and driers will not only save you money in the long run by reducing your energy consumption, but it is also a safer and cleaner for the environment.
2. Reduce Your Use of Electronic Appliances
There are plenty of electric and energy eating appliances that we use today simply for convenience, and a great example of this is the clothes drier. While occasionally we may need something dried really quickly, for the most part there is no reason why you can’t simply hang your washing on indoor airers to dry it. If you’re worried that your clothes might become too stiff, then consider putting them in the drier for just a few minutes, then hanging them up to air dry.
3. Turn Off Your Lights
We’re all guilty of sometimes forgetting to shut-off the lights when we leave a room, but the more aware we become of it the less likely we are to do it. Leaving appliances on or lights on while they’re not being used is a waste of both money and energy, and provides an easy way to cut down on your household spending.
4. Replace Your Light bulbs
Today’s technology innovations have done more than simply provide us with better cell phones, computers, and TVs – they’ve also given us more efficient models of older goods, such as light bulbs. By switching your household’s light bulbs to energy efficient LED or CFL light bulbs you will both save money on your energy and on the cost of replacing bulbs.
5. Use Less Water
Like many of the changes suggested here, using less water is something that can be easily done as long as you keep reminding yourself how a small change can make a big difference over time. You don’t have to spend 20 minutes in the shower every day to stay fresh and clean, and you don’t need to do a wash if you only have a few dishes or a few pieces of clothing. Remember to do small things, like shutting the water off while you’re brushing your teeth, and pass these traits down to your young ones.
It might not seem like much, but with a few small changes in your day-to-day life you will quickly find your spending drops and your savings increase.
I just replaced all of my bulbs this week. They were a little more expensive, but worth all the save for the year.
April Grant recently posted…3 Steps to Effective Crowdfunding
We just did, too!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…No-Sew Pouch for all of the essentials!
I should really be thinking about this now that the heat is going to be on more often. I could definitely save money by using the appliances less.
Liz Mays recently posted…Fresh Italian Salad
We all could, I think!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…No-Sew Pouch for all of the essentials!
What I’m doing was replacing my bulb from old ones, and the rest of your tips are great.
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🙂
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…No-Sew Pouch for all of the essentials!
Great tips! I never would have considered using less water, but I definitely will now! Thank you!
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I always try to use less water… but now we have a dishwasher.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…No-Sew Pouch for all of the essentials!
We make sure to turn off the lights when we are not using them and unplug appliances too.
You rock!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…No-Sew Pouch for all of the essentials!
I need to cut back my food grocery bills.. We spend so much on foods ( cooking and eating out)
rika recently posted…Slim Down with BikiniBod – All Natural, Non – GMO and 100% Vegan
We just started eating out a bit, and it’s been kind of nice, but I do love saving money by cooking at home.
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…No-Sew Pouch for all of the essentials!
This post is exactly what I was looking for. My electric bill has jumped over the hundred dollar mark from what it usually runs. That’s a hundred dollars I could have bought something cute with :). I’ll use your tips and try to get it down next month.
Terri Ramsey Beavers recently posted…DIY how to make a wall sign using LED wire lights #Oakleaf
Oh no! I hope this helps you!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…No-Sew Pouch for all of the essentials!
These are awesome tips. We have switched to LED lighting. A little at a time, we are also replacing our appliances to energy efficient ones.
Ourfamilyworld recently posted…Best Christmas Family Getaways in the United States
Every little bit counts!
We only use LED lights at home and I recently installed a gas stove. I can already see a difference in the electricity bill.
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Cooking with gas is better all-around!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…No-Sew Pouch for all of the essentials!
Great tips, especially with winter coming! We noticed a big difference when we changed out lightbulbs! Thanks for helping save our money!
We totally did, too!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…No-Sew Pouch for all of the essentials!
These are all good tips. I get on the kids to turn off the lights and they laugh at me and say it’s not going to make much of a difference (they’re grown), but whatevs. I think it will.
It will! Every little bit counts!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide recently posted…No-Sew Pouch for all of the essentials!
The number 1 tip is the most practical thing to do. Replacing each and every appliance to a much “energy friendly” ones can greatly help in the long run.
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So true!
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I bouhgt 16 CFC bulbs in 2007. I also bouhgt about 100 of the incandescent Halco long lasting bulbs. A 4 pack of CFC bulbs cost $11.99 and a 4 pack of the Halco long lasting bulbs cost $6.99. I have 32 light fixtures in my house. I put 16 CFC bulbs and the Halco bulbs side by side so they would burn at the same hours. I noticed very little decrease in my electric bill.. Both made claims they would last 10,000 hours. Now, over five years later 15 of the 16 Halco bulbs are still burning and only 6 of the 16 CFC bulbs are still burning. I am replacing all the burned out bulbs with the Halco bulbs because any savings on electricity are more than eaten up by the cost of the CFC bulbs and the fact that they burn out faster than the Halco bulbs. The CFC bulbs also contain mercury which could not be a good thing and they emit an awful odor sometimes when they burn out. I saw 2 of them smoke right before burning out.
We prefer LEDs. CFCs do need to be disposed of properly, because they are environmental hazards- for sure.
These are all great tips! We started using LED bulbs 3 years ago and they are still going strong! It’s definitely helped with how often we have to buy bulbs. I usually have the kids either bathe together, or at least leave the water in for the next person (unless they’re really dirty) to help with the water costs.
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The girls bathe together for the most part, but they are SO dirty. lol! Kids are gross!