3 Money and Energy Saving Tips to Remember this Winter

The following article was written by a blog partner.

If it’s starting to feel like you don’t have control over your energy bills, even small changes can add up to help you save some serious cash for the holidays. Every dollar you don’t spend on your energy bill is another dollar you can spend elsewhere, after all. Here are 3 simple, common household energy changes that you can make this winter to not only help you keep your energy bills low, but also help reduce your carbon footprint.

#1 – Use Your Refrigerator and Freezer Properly

Keeping your freezer full reduces the amount of energy used to keep that food frozen, but for your fridge the opposite is actually true. Overfilling your fridge blocks air circulation and makes your fridge work harder to keep food cool. Be sure to stock both properly to reduce charges on your electricity bill.

In today’s economy, nobody should have to tell you to get rid of that old beer fridge you keep in the basement. That old unit is likely costing between $200 and $250 extra per year in electricity costs.

Finally, keep in mind that fridge and freezer seals can wear out over time. Here’s a neat trick: slip a five-dollar bill in the door, and if it stays in place, you know your seal is still intact. If you can pull the bill out easily, it might be time to find a replacement.

#2 – Keep Your Furnace in Good Repair

As the cold weather sets in, everybody is cranking the heat way up. While there is nothing wrong with heating your home, keeping your furnace in good repair will ensure optimal performance, which of course saves you money when you pay your utility bill. If do require furnace replacement services or are in need of repairs, make sure to trust to a professional, as you can waste costly time and money trying to handle the complexities of your furnace yourself.

#3 – Be Wary of Your Oven Use

If you are using your oven as a massive toaster, you’re doing it wrong. Using a countertop toaster oven instead can cut your electricity consumption in half. If you are using your oven to toast a bagel, or to heat up some chicken fingers, you should switch it up. Whenever you use the oven, make sure to bake only large portions so as not to waste the energy. Not only will this give you leftovers that you can use to save money on eating out, but a little energy saving goes a long way.

Finally, your oven comes with a small window for a reason, and you should use it. 20% of the overall heat contained inside the oven is lost every time you open that door.

While this next tip didn’t make our official list, it’s worth pointing out that there are many appliances that can help you reduce your energy consumption and reduce your bills. In homes with lots of family members, getting access to drinking water, namely opening and closing the fridge all day can really add up in costs. Getting a new water dispenser for your home can be a great way to save money while improving access to clean drinking water.

Caulking and sealing your windows is also a really easy way to help make the home more comfortable, while improving energy efficiency and therefor, improving your savings!

Saving money by reducing your household energy bills is actually a lot easier than you might think at first blush. All it takes is knowing where energy is most commonly wasted, and then making a diligent effort to reduce that waste wherever possible. Follow these three simple tips, and share them with your partner, friends, and children to help you save money and plan for a better holiday season. You, your family, and planet Earth will thank you for it.