Pinching pennies to maximize your cash flow is always a sensible and rewarding endeavor to attempt. However, we all know that using our money sense can be difficult to remember at all times. In fact, we agree that it is nice to indulge where it counts, so where exactly should we pinch our pennies?
There are many ways to maximize the energy efficiency of your home and this ultimately saves you a considerable amount of money in regards to your overall energy costs.Saving on energy can range from the type of light bulbs you purchase to the type of roofing you have on your home. Here are a few tips to how you can start to save energy and save even more money!
- Get a home energy audit every couple of years with your power company to find ways to cut costs.
- Check with your utility company for rebates whenever you install energy-saving equipment.
- Add more energy-efficient insulation to your attic.
- Turn down your home thermostat two degrees. It might not sound like much, but it adds up.
- Buy a programmable thermostat, especially if your home is vacant most of the day. Set it to turn on a half hour before anyone arrives home.
- Adjust your thermostat to a comfortable temperature and wait. Turning your thermostat up or down dramatically wastes energy and increases your heating costs.
- Fix leaky faucets
- Invest in weather-stripping kits if you’ve got drafty doors.
- Trade your standard candescent bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs.
- Turn off your computer when not in use, or use the energy-saving “sleep” mode.
- Seal energy leaks. Caulk over cracks and small holes around windows and exterior walls.
- Participate in your power company’s special energy-saving program.
- Buy major appliances that sport the “Energy Star” sticker. That shows the appliance meets or exceeds standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Consider a front-loading washing machine. They use 50 percent less energy and one-third less water.
- When building a home or replacing a roof, select a roof based more on energy efficiency. Light-colored roofs do the best job of reflecting the sun, and cool quickly at night.
At Integrity Financial we believe in being economically responsible in order to live within your means and live a comfortable and satisfying life. Call us today for more tips and tricks on how you can save more money!