This polar vortex has temperatures plummeting and electric bills heating up. Between this awful winter weather, snow days, and last month’s holiday lights, our budget is taking a hit when it comes to utilities. Luckily, there is plenty you can do to lower electric bills.
Here are a few tools to help your efforts:
With this power saving surge protector, you can stop vampire appliances from draining electricity. Electronics typically go into standby mode, rather than truly powering down, costing you money. Turn them all completely off with just one switch. In fact, you can use the remote control from across the room—or mount it next to the light switch!
The Conserve Socket will shut off unnecessary power for single items—with a timer for 30 minutes, 3 hours or 6 hours. It can also keep your home safer by automatically powering down items like curling irons, space heaters and lamps.
This infrared sensor will allow you to monitor your home’s energy efficiency. It will show you where the temperature is highest or lowest. You’ll be able to find the leaks in your home to stop drafts and save money.
Stop leaks by adding a simple insulation sealer to electrical outlets & light switches. These are precut and super easy to install. The sealers are also inexpensive but can have an impact on your heating bill by stopping drafts at exterior walls.
Seal the leaks under the door with this draft sealer. It’s designed to hug the door from both sides to seal in your home’s heat. This will work best on carpeted floors, but it does say it is made for all floor types.
Winterize your windows this season. This tape conforms to the window and shrinks tight to seal cracks. If you really want to go all out, a full insulating kit will seal your windows tight.
When we moved into this house, one of the first things we did was install insulating film on our windows. It helps reflect the sun in the summer and retain indoor heat in the winter. The film is simple to install, easy to care for and lasts for years.
I hope your holiday lights are down by now, but if you have other outdoor lighting, it should be running on a timer. You can set it to turn on & off at a specific time. This will avoid running the lights when you aren’t around to enjoy them. Plus, the off switch on indoor lighting reminds me to go to bed on time!
A programmable thermostat allows you to change the temperature when you are not around. We keep our home cooler when we aren’t home as well as at night when we’re tucked in our warm, cozy beds.
A version of this post was originally published on 12/8/2011.
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There are lots of unexpected things that can make energy bills increase. Its a great idea to have some tools, like the ones you’ve mentioned here, to help cut consumption. Thanks for the tips!
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