Once retirement strikes, dreadful bills start showing up in your mailbox. They pop up and your savings go down. A retiree’s budget must confront utility bills in a new way. Cutting these costs can cushion other expenses. Home energy waste is in your hands, along with wasted spending. Adjust your home accordingly.
Blind-sided
Manipulate the sun’s rays to keep its heat in or out. Using blinds and curtains throughout the seasons helps heating and cooling expenses. In the winter months, open window coverings to capture heat from the sides of your home exposed to the sun. At night, close all blinds to trap heat inside. During hot summers, keep coverings closed on the eastern and western sides of your home to block direct sunlight.
Energy Unplugged
The Union of Concerned Scientists reveals that households waste five percent of their energy costs on standby energy. This type of energy is sucked away by electronics that remain plugged into the wall when not in use. Many people keep their cell phone chargers, countertop appliances, hair dryers and entertainment systems plugged in all day everyday. Simply disconnect these phantom energy stealers. Use power strips throughout your home so cutting power to certain items is as easy as flipping a switch.
Fan Folly
Ceiling fan blades rotate air differently depending on their direction of tilt. Heat rises, so in the winter, rotate blades to push warmer air from the ceiling towards your living space. Do the opposite for summer. Some ceiling fan blades aren’t moveable, so you can also adjust the motor to change a fan’s direction of airflow. With this method, counterclockwise is better for the summer and clockwise is efficient for the winter. Remember to adjust your thermostat while these energy saving tools are in use.
Washers and Dryers
Clothes and dishwashers should only run with a full load. Otherwise, the few plates you wash are getting water and electricity for an intended dozens of dishes. Don’t wash your money away. Water from clothes washing machines is an average of 26 percent of a home’s hot water bill. Use cold water as much as possible to reduce water heater use. Most clothes wash better on cold anyways.
Getting Heated
Using heat-generating appliances at certain times of the day will help energy bills and keep you comfortable. Clothes dryers and stoves conflict with air conditioners, so use these appliances in the evening when temps drop. Using them throughout the day can also help heaters when it’s cold outside.
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