January is a time for new beginnings and we see many people vowing to stick to the resolutions they have made. For my family, we want to find new ways to improve our lives financially. Currently, we are working on saving money in the home, and I found some great ideas to help save money on your energy bill.
Cost Effective Energy Saving Tips For The Home
- Check Your Weather Striping: Weather stripping around the outer doors of your home can save a lot! My back door had a 1/4 inch gap I kept neglecting, and it was letting out so much heat. Once we put proper stripping on the frame, it sealed the opening. We noticed a big reduction on our utility bill.
- Maintain Your Fireplaces: Your money can literally go through the chimney if it is not maintained properly. When the damper is open, the fireplace is not in use, you can keep up to 20% of the warm air inside where it belongs.
- Keep Your Thermostat At A Reasonable Temperature: If you keep your thermostat at 70 degrees or below, it will have a huge impact on your utility bill. For every degree you put your thermostat over 70 degrees, you raise your electric bill by 7-10 percent. This translates to a total average savings of over $200 per year, depending on your current monthly bill. Set your water thermostat to 120 degrees, but no more than 140 to save even more on your bill.
- Oven Tips: If you turn the heat off on your oven 15 minutes before your meal will be done cooking, the temperature will stay hot long enough to finish cooking. Just do not open the door! Also, using the microwave cuts your energy bill by 25% when compared to using your conventional oven. For the stove top, if you cut the temperature down to simmer once something boils, the heat inside the pot maintains to complete the cooking as well.
- Use Your Dishwashers And Washing Machines Properly: Make sure you are washing a full load. It takes the same amount of energy and water no matter how little or full the load is. Using the dishwasher versus washing by hand saves an average of 5 gallons of water per load. When you wash clothing on cold water, it costs about 1.5 cents per load. When you use hot water, it costs an average of 38 cents per load. This can add up on your bill very quickly.
- Turn out the Lights: We all know turning a light off every time you leave the room saves money. Although it is actually a fraction of one penny, when you do it several times a day, it adds up to bigger savings than you may realize. When you are away, you can use a timer for your lights to be on at night and go off in the morning. In my house, I use the AUTOCHRON Programmable Wall Switch Timer from ShopWithEase.com.
I liked the AUTOCHRON Programmable Wall Switch Timer, which sells for $30 because it took about a minute to install and program and is super easy to use. My husband works nights, so I like to have the lights on until he gets home, but sometimes he is too tired to turn them off. I have my timer scheduled to go off an hour after he gets home and I do not worry about wasting electricity. For the car, I also have the extremely handy Porta-Jump Emergency Jump Starter for the car, which sells for $30 as well. This is a super handy tool for the car, especially during these frigid winter months!
I love it when saving money can be so easy! Which of these tips, or do you have another tip, do you find helpful in cutting energy costs in your home? One USA reader will win one Porta-Jump Emergency Jump Starter $30
Anyone wanting to purchase our products call Sandi 800-336-1968 x 13 and mention Kelly’s blog for 10% off!
We like the ZAMBIA BAMBOO CUTTING BOARD
I would absolutely love the Polti Vaporetto Handy Steam Cleaning System.
I like the porta jump starter. I also like the LOVE2PET NO PULL LEASH
The porta Jump starter. I would really use this. I also like the self watering planter
I could really use the handy steam cleaning system
CATALINA BAMBOO CUTTING BOARD
Rechargeable Fluorescent Lamp Emergency Light
I like the rechargeable Superlight
I like the drain blaster
Porta-Jump starter
I also like the Love2Pet 2 in 1 Grooming Tool.
I like the Shoulder Dolly Moving & Lifting System.
We need a portable car battery jumper!
I also like the Love2Pet 2 in 1 Grooming Tool.
Drain Blaster
i like the emergency jump start the best
I like the superlight portable light!
I like the emergency jump start
i like the bam hp drain blaster!
I’d like to have their LOVE2PET 2 IN 1 GROOMING TOOL!
I would like the AUTOCHRON PROGRAMMABLE WALL SWITCH TIMER
I would really like the Portable Jump-Start
Considering my family really is bad with remembering to turn off the lights. And, we tend to live on the gulf coast and have our air running a good bit of the time, i’d really love to try the AUTOCHRON PROGRAMMABLE WALL SWITCH TIMER. I think it would be perfect for our family.
The Superlight Rechargeable lamp!
wendym at cableone dot net
I like the POLTI VAPORETTO HANDY STEAM CLEANING SYSTEM
I like the superlight portable recharable fluroscent lamp.
The emergency jump starter would be nice especially in the winter.
The SUPERLIGHT PORTABLE RECHARGEABLE FLUORESCENT LAMP – EMERGENCY LIGHT would be nice.
The porta-jump would be a convenient tool to keep in the trunk
I’d love to have their Handy Clean Steamer Polti!
I have pets so i would love to try the Love2Pet “No Dirty Ears” Ear Wash for Dogs & Cats.
I like the Love2Pet “No Dirty Ears” Ear Wash for Dogs & Cats.
I also like the WonderPlanter Self-Watering Indoor Plant Container
the WonderPlanter self-watering planter – maybe then i’d stop being the houseplant grim reaper
I also like the WonderPlanter Self-Watering Indoor Plant Container.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
The Porta-Jump Emergency Jump Starter
I like the Polti Vaporetto Handy Steam Cleaning System
I love the Porta-Jump Emergency Jump Starter! Especially in this weather!
Polti Vaporetto Handy Steam Cleaning System – Refurbished
I like the CATALINA BAMBOO CUTTING BOARD.
Wonder Planter mats
I’d love the WonderPlanter Self-Watering Indoor Plant Container
the porta jump emergency starter. would give peace of mind w/ daughter who works late and a piece of junk car
Definitely the Porta-Jump. We’ve had to jump start my van 6 times just this month, and I had to miss work one day because no one was around to give me a jump start.
I love the Polti Vaporetto Handheld Steamer!
Oh the Port-Jump is my favorite as this would be such a blessing to our family! I also really love the Love2Pet 2 in 1 Grooming Tool! That would be great for the dogs!
The Porta-Jump Emergency Jump Starter would put my mind at ease. My daughter works at a fast food restaurant and get some late shifts. I always worry she is going to get in the car and it won’t start. This has happened at some point in time to most everyone, and yes weather is a big factor in PA.
SUPERLIGHT PORTABLE RECHARGEABLE FLUORESCENT LAMP – EMERGENCY LIGHT
I would love to have the Bamboo Platter Set.
HILO DARK BAMBOO CUTTING BOARDS – SET OF 2
freebiegoddess03@aol.com
I like the Porta-Jump, especially since my car battery just died recently and I had to borrow my neighbor’s jumper cables for a couple of days, until I located mine.
I would buy the Porta-Jump Emergency Jump Starter.
I like the AutoChron timed light switch.
I would love..love the high pressure drain blaster maybe that..would actually help my tub drain…:)
I like the easy hand held steamer.
Drain blaster, drain blaster. I am so sick of using drain, this would be more Eco friendly for my household!
I would love the iFresh Music Anywhere Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker in blue.
I like the Auto Chron Automatic Times.
the automatic programmable light switch.
I would like the high pressure drain blaster.
steam cleaner
I love the emergency light!
I’d love the Portable Car Battery Jumper – our winters here are brutal.
I like the Superlight Portable Rechargeable Fluorescent Lamp.
http://www.shopwithease.com/ifresh-music-anywhere-bluetooth-waterproof-speaker/
I could use the wonderplanter
Wonder planter self watering container for me
I like the Nyce Legs Natural Hair Removal & Exfoliator – 2 For The Price of 1!
I would like the wonderplanter.
I’d love the LOVE2PET 2 IN 1 GROOMING TOOL.
We have a German Shepherd shedding machine 😉
I would also like the POLTI VAPORETTO EASY HAND HELD STEAMER. It would be very useful to clean!
the self-watering plant container–maybe i won’t kill them all with my business trips
I would like the emergency car light.
I like the BAM HP drain blaster but the emergency porta jump looks grand as well
I like the WonderPlanter!
It’s making me comment again before I can proceed. So, here goes…
I would like to have a porta jumper. It would be a good piece of mind when I’m out on the road, esp. when it’s so cold out.
I like the AutoChron Programmable Wall Switch Timer
Superlight Portable Rechargeable Fluorescent Lamp – Emergency Light
I like the Nyce Legs Spray on Instant Leg Make-Up or the Two-Way Shoe Stretchers.
I cut energy costs by wearing jackets and keeping the temp low (62).
I would like to have a porta jumper. It would be a good piece of mind when I’m out on the road, esp. when it’s so cold out.
I like the porta jump.
I would love the Multi-Purpose Steamer!!
I COULD REALLY USE THE PORTABLE CAR JUMPER FOR MY DAUGHTERS CAR SHE ALWAYS LEAVES HER LIGHTS ON
Universal Porta Jump emergency jump starter.
I like the love 2 pet no pull leash.
I’d like to have the WONDERPLANTER SELF-WATERING INDOOR PLANT CONTAINER
I would like the Nyce & Smooth Leg & Skin Moisturizer
water proof speaker
I would like the SUPERLIGHT PORTABLE RECHARGEABLE FLUORESCENT LAMP – EMERGENCY LIGHT
I like the LOVE2PET NAIL GROOMING TOOL
The wonderplanter looks great
The Polti hand held steamer looks like something I would definitely use 🙂
AutoChron Programmable Wall Switch Timer looks helpful
the wonderplanter would be great to have
programmable light switch
I would like the iFresh Waterproof speaker.
I really like the Superlight Portable Rechargeable Fluorescent Lamp – Emergency Light. This would be helpful not only if you car breaks down – but, also for home use, if your lights go out due to storm.
I’d LOVE a couple of the Wonder Planters! Cool!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
The PORTA-JUMP EMERGENCY JUMP STARTER
I’d love the self watering wonder planter. So would my plants!
I like the Superlight Portable Rechargeable Fluorescent Lamp – Emergency Light.
I would like the portable jumper cable
autochron auto timer
I also like the WonderPlanter self-watering indoor plant container.
I really like the self watering planter
I would like to try the SUPERLIGHT PORTABLE RECHARGEABLE FLUORESCENT LAMP – EMERGENCY LIGHT.
I would like the Love2Pet 2 in 1 Grooming Tool.
I like the Wonder planter.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
Self Watering Planter
That’s a great lightswitch. I also like the BAAM!HP (High Pressure) Drain Blaster.
I would like the Porta Jump.
like the Love2Pet 2 in 1 Grooming Tool
Would like the Porta Jump emergency jump starter.
My favorite product on that website that I would really like is the PORTA-JUMP EMERGENCY JUMP STARTER!
Wonder Planter
don’t have to find someone to water my plants while on vakay!
Porta-Jump Emergency Jump Starter
I like the nyce-legs-spray-on-leg-make-up-buy-2-get-a-buffer-free.
really need the porta-jump charger
I like the SUPERLIGHT PORTABLE RECHARGEABLE FLUORESCENT LAMP – EMERGENCY LIGHT
battery jumper
would like the SOIRÉE WINE AERATOR
The Superlight Rechargeable Work Light.
after the portacharger, I would pick any of the bamboo cutting boards
I could really use ths portable jumper. I’ve been places several times with a dead battery and have needed to call my hubby to come get me or get a stranger to help. Recently while hubby was in the hospital, battery died while I was in the hospital parking lot….I couldn’t get hubby to help cause he was in the hospital….literally sat in the vehicle and cried cause I was so upset and didn’t know what to do. It was miserable cold and no one was outside….I finally went to the parking valet people who radioed a maintenance man with the hospital who gave me a jump…. I could have used this then and I know there will be other times I would be able to use it. Thanks for the chance to win a much needed product.
Oops, totally forgot to finish answering the question…..since I’m pet mom to eight lovely dogs, including three rescues, I’m also interested in their pet product, particularly the no pull leash for one of my rescues. Thanks for the chance to win
I would like to try the Wonder Planter Absorbent Mats. Maybe if I used these I wouldn’t kill off my plants quite so often.
I sure could use one of these.. WonderPlanter Self-Watering Indoor Plant Container.. I seam to always forget to water my plants..
The Portable Battery Charger is an awesome item.
I like the Nyce Smooth Leg & Skin Moisturizer and the Love2Pet 2 in 1 Grooming Tool!
I like the superlight portable light.
I would like the Nyce & Smooth Leg & Skin Moisturizer – 2 for the price of 1!
Universal Porta-Jump Emergency Jump Starter Kit, without a doubt.
the Love2Pet No Pull Leash looks nice.
I would like the superlight portable light
I would love the jump pack, because you never know……
I really like the jump pack!!
I’d like the Superlight Portable Rechargeable Fluorescent Lamp – Emergency Light
I desperately need the WonderPlanter Self-Watering Indoor Plant Container, I kill all my indoor plants!
The WONDERPLANTER SELF-WATERING INDOOR PLANT CONTAINER
Porta-Jump, could really use this.
I really like the Superlight Portable Rechargeable Fluorescent Lamp – Emergency Light. Thank you for the super giveaway opportunity. Keep up the terrific blogging.
I like the Shoulder Dolly Moving & Lifting System
I like the WonderPlanter™ self-watering planter
Which product would I like? I would like the Porta-Jump Emergency Jump Starter for the car. I would mostly like it for the security when I am away from home. You never know when it will come in handy.
I went to the sponsors site and I would also love this item Love2Pet Pick Up Poochie Bag Kit
I like the portable jumper.
I would love to have the universal porta emergency jump starter for my husband.
SUPERLIGHT PORTABLE RECHARGEABLE FLUORESCENT LAMP – EMERGENCY LIGHT
Seeing as we’re about to get a dog…I’d have to go with the Love2Pet grooming tool. I’m a trained vet assistant so I can clip at home, but the tool looks really nice to handle!
I would love the porta jump!
I like to have the Porta- Jump Battery Charger .
Superlight Portable Rechargeable Fluorescent Lamp – Emergency Light
I’d like the SUPERLIGHT PORTABLE RECHARGEABLE FLUORESCENT LAMP – EMERGENCY LIGHT.
I’d like the Love2Pet 2 in 1 Grooming Tool
I would like to get the Superlight Portable Rechargeable Fluorescent Lamp – Emergency Light
I like the pet tool and the port-a light.
I would love that self watering wonder planter. I never know how much or how little I should water house plants and often wind up killing them
Because I live in the northern northeast, I do like the Porta-Jump…when it’s -20, it would be handy!
I like the self watering indoor planter. This would come in handy as I don’t have the best of green thumbs out there.
I like the multi purpose steamer.
The Porta-Jump Charger looks like their best item.
soiree Set of Two Tilt Freezable Chilling Spheres
I would like the Comfy Puppy 2-Way Wooden Shoe Stretchers–never had any before. For energy saving yes, turning out all unused lights is a big one. I don’t use my dishwasher (except for storing plastic bags, lol) I limit hot water use and use the special energy saving light bulbs. Yep I’m very frugal or try to be. Always room for improvement.
we definitely need the porta-jump
Emergency jump starter.
I would like the Porta-Jump Emergency Jump Starter as shown above. I live alone and have always worried about my car not starting. Owning one of these would give me peace of mend.
I like NYCE LEGS SPRAY ON LEG MAKE-UP
I am currently trying to train my new puppy so I like the Love2Pet No Pull Leash
We totally need to replace and adjust the weather stripping at our front door. I noticed it was a looking a little funky recently. We also try to keep our thermostat down but sometimes I NEED that heat to kick on for a wee bit. Great list of ideas!
Great tips, we do not yet pay for energy, but we hope to buy a place in 2 years. I have started to warn my spouse that leaving every single light on in the house is not acceptable!
Mitch
Brilliant! I’m all about saving $$$ in 2014. Thank you!
I keep my thermostat much different than the rest of the world. In the winter it’s on 65 and summer it’s on 78.
Polti Steamer
Love these tips. Great reminders and I really love that programmable light pad.
The AUTOCHRON Programmable Wall Switch Timer is great! I think that not only is it good for our home, but office too! I love this and will be checking into it further! Thanks!
These are such great tips!! My hubby and I are always observant about the energy we use and have slowly replaced all our lightbulbs with energy efficient ones. It makes a huge difference 🙂 I love the idea of the Programmable Wall Switch Timer!
I always make sure to turn off the lights and unnpluging whatever is not being used to help save money. Now, if only I could get my boys (husband included) to take shorter showers….