Ways to Save Water, Electricity and Money

As a mother trying to make ends meet, I find myself looking for ways to save money. Because of this, I have become a couponing queen, saving hundreds of dollars a month on our grocery bills. However, I was still trying to figure out how we could reduce costs on our monthly utility bills. After researching my options, I decided to implement electricity and water-conserving steps into our daily lives, and I have actually noticed a change in the amount we pay on utility bills. So of course I’m going to share them in hopes that others can help save so money. 

• Turn off lights when leaving the room. This one was actually more difficult to stick too then it sounds, especially with two kids. If, however, you can get into the habit of simply switching the lights off when you leave the room, you will quickly see a decrease in your electricity bill. 

• Use a power strip. Power strips are a great way to eliminate energy vampires, which are electronics – such as televisions and computers – that continue to use electricity even after you turn it off. With a power strip, you simply click the off switch and those energy vampire items can no longer suck power. 

• Change your light bulbs. Those old light bulbs you currently have installed are wasting energy and costing you more money. Instead, switch your bulbs with LEDs or CFLs. Click here for more information about the savings you can see by simply choosing a better light bulb. 

• Install low-flow fixtures in the bathroom. If you can find it in your budget, consider replacing older toilet models with newer, low-flow ones. These types of toilets can actually save 75-percent of water that is used for every flush. At the very least, you should install a low-flow shower head. These nifty little devices are not too expensive and can save 7.5 gallons of water every minute of use. 

• Use a programmable thermostat. These types of heating and cooling thermostats allow you to set the temperature at certain times during the day and night. That way, your HVAC system will atomically turn the heat down while you’re away from the home, thus preventing energy waste. 

Those are just a few of the steps we have taken to reduce our utilities bills. What’s even better is that practicing a more environmentally-friendly approach to your daily life will reduce your carbon footprint and help preserve the earth for future generations.