Well, 2014 is here! For many of you, “saving more/spending less” was your new year’s resolution.
I’m sure you have some great money-saving ideas. But we have a few ideas of our own.
Here are 4 quick tweaks to your home that can save you up to $1,077 this year.
- Install a programmable thermostat
Annual savings: Up to $180
Heating and cooling makes up 46% of your yearly energy costs. That’s about $1,012. By installing a programmable thermostat and setting it properly, you’ll cut $180 off that cost each year, according to ENERGY STAR.
- Watch out for water heating waste
Annual savings: Up to $491
Manufacturers often ship water heaters are set at 140 degrees F. However, that’s too hot and can scald you. Not only that, but it wastes “$36 to $61 annually in standby heat losses and more than $400 in demand losses,” according to ENERGY STAR.
Turn your water heater's’ thermostat down to 120 degrees F to save up to $461 each year. Also, if you have an old water heater, wrap it in an insulating jacket to help keep heat from escaping, saving you more than $30 a year.
- Slay energy vampires
Annual savings: $100
Energy vampires are electronic devices that still use energy when they’re off. So they’re sucking money from you everyday, costing you about $100 every year. The quickest way to slay energy vampires is using smart power strips in your home.
These are usually $20 and will shut down electronic equipment that goes into standby mode, lowering your electric bill as a result. They pay for themselves in about 10 weeks.
- Add weatherstripping to old doors and windows
Annual savings: Up to $306
The average home pays about $1,012 on heating and cooling annually. But you can reduce that cost by sealing air leaks around your doors and windows with weatherstripping.
Weatherstripping saves you 15% to 30% on your heating and cooling bills, according to Consumerreports.org, meaning you can save up to $152 to $306 each year.
Want more money-saving tips? Check out our blog.
