You may be like many other people who are looking for ways to cut back on costs and just flat out spend less money each month. One of the first things to look at in your household is what you can do to cut back on your energy bills. Here is a list of 10 things you can easily do to lower utility costs.

Turn Off Lights

This is not a suggestion to just sit around in the dark, however, by simply only lighting the room you are in, you can bring down electrical costs.

Use Energy Efficient Light Bulbs

By swapping out regular incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs, you can save tremendous amounts of electricity. While the energy-efficient bulbs are higher in cost, they last many times longer than old-style bulbs, so the savings are seen over years.

Turn Back the Heat

By lowering the thermostat by one degree you will lower the heating costs considerably. If you are leaving your house for at least six hours, try turning the heat back by five or six degrees during that time. The heat will not work as hard when you are away creating savings for you.

Cap Your Water Usage

Install a low-flow showerhead in your bathroom or at least one that allows you to back down the flow during your shower. It’s amazing how much excess water runs down the drain while you shampoo. Backing it down until you are ready to rinse, can save several gallons every day.

Unplug Those Chargers

While they may seem harmless, leaving chargers plugged in when not in use actually taps electricity, not to mention being a potential fire hazard.

Replace Old Appliances

Old appliances use much more energy than newer ones, so if it is more than 10 years old, consider an upgrade.

Fill the Washer

Trying to wash only full loads when you run the washer rather than several smaller ones will cut back on water usage.

Use the Dishwasher

Hand washing your dirty dishes actually uses more water than running the dishwasher. Waiting until you have a nearly full load helps too.

Lower the Temperature on the Water Heater

If your water heater is set higher than 130 degrees, you are using too much energy to heat it. Bring down the temperature to this setting and you will see huge savings on electricity.

Check Seals on Windows and Doors

Heat escapes through air spaces around windows and doors, so make sure these areas seal properly, making your heating more efficient.

By taking a few small steps, you can make a noticeable dent in your energy bills, and put the savings to better use.

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