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The new year is here, and it is time to look ahead at 2016 to see where you can make adjustments to save money and energy. If your utility bills make your heart sink when they arrive, it’s time to make some changes in your home.
While many don’t think about it, you have a lot of control on the amount due area of your utility bill. Some of the fees are unable to be avoided, but through controlling your usage and making yourself more energy efficient, you can reduce the cost of your utility bills across the board. Here are a few easy ways to cut costs on your utility bills in 2016.
Limit your electronic use.
While this may seem like a sacrifice at first, it may be in line with other New Year’s Resolutions. Do you have goals to lose weight, spend more time with family, or explore a new hobby this year? By turning off the electronics, you may find yourself open to more engagement with your life.
Additionally, simple changes can make a big difference, such as unplugging electronics when not in use, using surge protectors with on/or switches, turning off lights and fans, powering down computers at night, and using sleep timers on televisions, if it is a late hour.
Purchase Energy Efficient Appliances
If your New Year’s Resolutions include any remodeling or updates to your home, be sure you look at the energy efficiency of new appliances and electronics. By purchasing energy efficient models from the get-go, you have less to worry about each day.
Conserve water.
Even though we have been in a serious drought, many Californians don’t stop to consider how much water they use. To benefit your utility bill and the environment, it’s important to work towards becoming water efficient; and that doesn’t mean you have to make major lifestyle changes. Only run full dishwashers or washing machines, turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth, install aerators in your faucets to reduce water flow, limit your showers to 5-7 minutes, and resist the urge to wash your car each week.
Additionally, if you’re making home adjustments purchase water-conserving plumbing appliances, such as toilets or washers. Also, invest in landscaping that doesn’t require frequent watering, like succulents.
Use less natural gas.
The more natural gas you use to do things like heat your house, the more you owe the utility company. To ease up on gas usage, install a programmable thermostat that will automatically reduce heating and cooling when you don’t need it, set the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees, avoid using hot water when unnecessary, and wash your clothes in cold water.
Also, small changes to your home can make a big impact on your natural gas usage. Upgrade your outdated heating equipment. If you have a natural gas furnace that is more than 15 years old or a gas water heater that is more than 10 years old, it’s time for a newer model.
Your HVAC Experts
Cutting back on electricity, gas, and water usage is not only good for your wallet, but also good for the environment. With these easy ways to decrease utility usage, you can feel better about your bank account and your conservation efforts.
At Just Right Services, we are dedicated to ensuring your residential HVAC system and plumbing systems are performing at their best. Contact us today at (949) 245-6320 to talk about how we can make your system even more efficient.
