How to Save on Home Utilities

Owning a home means that bills are a fundamental fact of life, but you don’t have to be stressed about their arrival every month. There are lots of small changes you can make and stay comfortable while saving on your utilities, leaving you with more money to pursue more exciting home projects.

Comfort on a budget

It’s summertime, which means you might be sweating in more ways than one, thanks to the thought of how the scorching heat will affect your utility bills. If you have a home that is built to be green and energy-efficient, as all Perry Homes houses are, you’re off to a great start. Newer, greener homes typically come equipped with energy-efficient windows and appliances, which go a long way in helping reduce your consumption and costs. However, even newer homes can benefit from a few basic reminders for the best energy consumption practices.

• Thermostat
  Keep your air and heating bills in check with some basic maintenance. First, check to make sure all your vents are open and clean. Closing vents in certain areas to save money isn’t effective; your heating and cooling unit will work better when all vents can blow out air. At the same time, keep them clean by dusting them and changing your air filters regularly. Clean vents and filters means less work for your unit.
• Windows
  Check around the edges of windows and doors to ensure no air is leaking in from outside, which can make a huge difference in the indoor temperature. Keep blinds closed when the sun is at its peak.
• Ceiling fans
  Ceiling fans can save money on air costs, pushing cool air down in the summer and circulating warm air in the winter.

Clean for less

• Washers
  Even today’s energy-efficient models can perform better with some adjustments. First, wash larger loads instead of smaller loads to cut down on energy usage. Also, most things can be thoroughly cleaned when you wash them on cold. Your clothing may even last longer!
• Dryers
  Make sure you clean the lint tray regularly so your dryer doesn’t have to work as hard. Take advantage of the heat buildup by drying loads back-to-back. And consider hang-drying your clothes, especially those that are more delicate. They’ll last longer, and you’ll spend less on bills.

Everyday savings

• Hot water heater
  Check the default settings on your water heater. Most are set hotter than necessary. Making a small adjustment can save you 4-22% annually.
• Light bulbs
  To save on lighting costs, replace light bulbs with LED lights. Though they may cost more upfront, the long-term savings make it worth it.
• Appliances and electronics
  Appliances and electronics use energy when plugged in, even when they’re not in use. This is known as phantom power use. Use this guide to help you determine what you should unplug and what can stay plugged in.
• Oven and stove
  Using the oven and stove in the summer can warm your house, making your air conditioning work harder. To combat this, grill food outdoors whenever you can. Who doesn’t love a summer barbecue anyway?
• Dishwashers
  Unless it will be awhile before you run it, save yourself the unnecessary step of rinsing before loading. Most dishwashers nowadays are powerful enough to rinse away lingering food. Also, turn off heat drying to decrease electricity usage.

The good news is that newer homes are built to be more energy-efficient, which adds up to tremendous energy savings. Learn more about the standard energy-saving features that come with owning a Perry Homes home.