How to Lower Your Utility Bill

Who doesn't want to reduce their utility bill? Likely around your home right now there are common ways you can save money, such as painting your roof white, turning off all electricity at night, keeping your water heater at 120 degrees, changing your AC and furnace filters, even installing separate meters for water and sewage usage.

Paint Your Roof White

Buildings that have white roofs use up to 40% less electricity, according to the Heat Island Group study from the Lawrence Berkeley Group in 1999. Annual savings would be around $150.00. Best of all, it does not cost much to implement this improvement; an Elastomeric white coating, available from any hardware store, is all you need. This coating creates a waterproof seal and increases the overall longevity of a roof. Just use heavy-duty paint rollers and an extension pole to get the job done.

Turn Off All Electricity At Night

Do you ever simply go to bed without checking all the lights in your home? Most of us have, and let's be honest, when we're tired, checking all the lights in the house is the last thing we want to do. After all, how much could a few bulbs cost? Well, a single fluorescent bulb costs $9.00 per year and a conventional bulb costs $21.00 annually. Running a ceiling fan alone costs approximately $32.00 each year as well, so consider taking the extra time to turn off before turning in.

Keep Your Water Heater at 120 Degrees

How hot is your water heater? If it's above 120 degrees its costing you extra money each month, and it is exposing you to the risk of scalding water. Just 20 degrees higher than 120 will result in spending $430 to $460 more per year due to the loss of heat and the energy required to bring room temperature water up to a higher temperature. Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees to start saving today.

Change Your Filters

Have you ever forgotten to change your AC or furnace filters? Filters can be very expensive, so many people avoid changing them. Don't let your systems become inefficient, even to the point of breaking, just by neglecting or forgetting this simple maintenance procedure.

Install a Separate Meter For Water Usage vs. Sewer Usage

Installing separate meters saves you money. Why? Because you are charged twice each month for your water usage, to pump it in and out of your home. Keep in mind that a new meter will cost you a lot up front -- several hundreds of dollars -- but in the long run, it will pay for itself because you are only charged for the sewage capacity you are actually using.