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Articles about cutting energy bills often focus on large items that are costly to replace or things that are really unrealistic. There are many ways to lower your costs without buying a new furnace, turning your heat off or flushing your toilet with bathwater (eye roll at that impractical suggestion).

We have lived in our home for almost three years. By spending just a little money I have been able to reduce my water, gas, and electric bills by $120 a month (that’s a 30% reduction) with these simple tricks.

In those three years we haven’t replaced any major appliances, we have just made small changes that anyone can do. I decided to share some ideas that aren’t commonly shared but are incredibly simple to do. Here are some of the easiest ways you can save money on your energy bills.



Faucet Aerators

Attach this to your bathroom faucet and you’ll use less water, without losing any water pressure at all. In addition you’ll be heating less of it. So you’ll save on your water bill and your gas bill. That’s a double win. Newer faucets may come with these included, make sure you check if you’re in the market for a replacement.

Water Saving Shower Heads

Water saving shower heads are completely different than when I was a kid. The water pressure is just as high as regular shower heads, Air is added to make the pressure higher. They even have rain showers like this one. We changed ours and the kids didn’t even notice. Once again you’ll save on your water and gas bills by heating less water. Look for this symbol and try to get 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) or less. That means when your kids are taking 45 minute showers you can freak out a little less. But just a little, because who needs 45 min showers!?

Occupancy Sensors

These sensors will turn your lights off when a room is unoccupied. No more yelling at the kids to turn their lights off. These need to be installed where there is a line of site to the sensor.*Warning: Do not install sensors in kitchens or workshops. You don’t want the lights turning off while you’re using a knife or power tools.*

Dimmers

Lighting dimmers will allow you to have the light on but adjust the levels to save money. Be sure you choose a dimmer that is compatible with your LED’s.



Lighting Timers

Nobody wants to get home to a dark house, but leaving lights on all day costs money. Lighting timers are a super cheap solution. You can plug an indoor lamp into them and choose what time they go on or off. (Can be used with any electronic device)

Dusk to Dawn Light Sockets

It’s also a good idea to have outdoor lights on so we can see when we get home at night. Instead of leaving them on all day use an outdoor sensor. This cheap gadget screws between your light socket and your light bulb. It senses when it is getting dark and turns the light on. When the sun rises, the light goes off. For a few dollars you are saving hours of electricity and adding security to your home.



LED Light Bulbs

LED’s use as little as 1/10th of the electricity as incandescent light bulbs, and are a major reason our utility bills have dropped dramatically. The bulbs are no longer ridiculously expensive, and they pay for themselves very quickly. We have slowly changed most of the bulbs in our house. You don’t have to change them all at once, just pick up a pack each time you’re at the hardware store.

A lot of people think LED’s have a different light than old bulbs. I promise that if you take some time to learn what to buy, your lighting can look exactly the same. LED’s also come in many shapes like the vanity lights in our bathroom and the flame tip style bulbs in our dining room chandelier.

Have questions? Post them in the comments, I can help!



Smart Power Strips

A lot of money-saving articles suggest we unplug everything before we leave the house. Really? Who has time to unplug all of that stuff while we’re trying to get to work or get kids out the door? These power strips turn off when not in use, saving you money while still protecting your electronics.



The small investment you’ll make on energy efficiency will pay off very quickly. I now have $120 a month more in my household budget. Your savings will depend on your house size and energy habits, but you will definitely cut costs with a few changes.

Many utilities are offering energy efficiency programs to help you upgrade. To find out if there are any rebates or upfront incentives check this database.

These are just a few of the ways I lowered my energy bills. Want more money saving tips? Sign up for my newsletter below and you’ll be the first to receive them right to your email.

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