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Three Ways to Save on Your Utilities

Being more efficient with your utility usage is good for the environment and it’s great for your budget. Spending more money than you need to on utilities forces you to forgo spending on the things that you really want or need to have. Instead of putting a chunk of your monthly budget towards something that’s here today and gone tomorrow, you can free up some money for making some valuable home improvements or doing something fun. Here are three ways that you can save on your utility costs month after month.

By Robert CordrayPublished 4 years ago 2 min read
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1. Install a Renewable Energy Source

It’s extremely regrettable that many municipal power suppliers still rely heavily on producing carbon emissions to create power. The technology to switch to renewable energy sources has been readily available for decades, but powerful corporate interest groups have suppressed the widespread implementation of renewable energy. In recent years, many people across the globe have seen the devastating environmental impact of unchecked carbon emissions firsthand, and it has created significant demand for change. The emergence of independent renewable energy companies in recent years has become increasingly popular, and now it’s affordable for people to purchase solar panels for home use. When you switch to renewable energy, you won’t have to spend every month on a power source that causes damage to the environment. Instead, you’ll have a source of clean and renewable energy that provides valuable peace of mind in the event of a power outage that affects an entire region. Over time, the money that you spend on solar powers will offset the cost of installation. Moreover, you’ll add value to your home by adding a renewable energy source.

2. Insulate Your Home

Insulating your home can have a significant effect on your heating and cooling costs. A lot of homeowners’ biggest utility expense goes towards heating their homes during the winter. Heating costs can be rather high whether you use a heat source that’s gas, oil, or electric. Insulating your home, however, can reduce your heating costs substantially. You’ll lose less of your heated air through the walls and roof of your home, allowing you to run your system for less time to reach your desired temperature setting. With a good insulation source throughout your walls and crawlspace, your home will be far less vulnerable to the elements outside. Ultimately, insulation will help you stay comfortable in your home and not have to bundle up to stay warm inside.

3. Reduce Your Water Usage With Some Simple Upgrades

When you make a concerted effort to use less water, you can see an appreciable difference in your water and sewer bill. Unnecessary water waste is a relatively easy problem to fix. Start with your home’s toilets. Running toilets are a very common source of water waste, and they can send gallons of unused water down the drain every day. The most frequent cause of a running toilet is a loose or worn flapper, the rubber mechanism that opens and shuts when you flush your toilet. You can also improve your toilet’s efficiency by installing a low flow assembly valve, which reduces the amount of water used in each flush. Next, move onto your sinks and showers. Even just a slow drip can add up to gallons. Most slow leaks can be solved with a simple tightening of the valve on the faucet. In your shower, the valve is located behind the faucet rather than on it. In addition, you can replace your fixtures with low flow fixtures that use a lot less water. A small change in pressure won’t necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice the quality of how you use your sink or shower, and it will create appreciable monthly savings while also helping you live more sustainably.

Upgrades that enable you to spend less on utilities are a fantastic way to free up some room in your monthly budget. Moreover, they’re an important way to do your part in helping to combat the climate crisis.

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