Utilities.
Baby, it's cold outside. A little a late for the Christmas reference, but very relevant for the "polar vortex" we're having these days, eh?
So, how's everyone's gas/electric bill looking? Scary, possibly? A friend of mine just mentioned hers was over $500 this month. My jaw dropped! I couldn't handle that type of surprise with my budget.
Luckily, my husband and I are on "the budget plan" with our utility company. This means we pay a fixed amount each month (for 12 months) based on our history.
This is not something I'd generally recommend with companies that compete for our business, but since costs can be so volatile from month-to-month and we have no other energy providers to potentially switch to, this makes the most sense for keeping our personal budget in tact.
I remember when we first moved into our house. Our first energy bill came in, and said $50. Not bad! Then the next one came in: $126. Haha, just kidding. I went back to the first bill and realized this was only a partial month. Whoops.
When I was setting up our online account with NIPSCO (our energy company), I saw a link about the budget plan, so I signed us up. For a bit it stayed at $126/month, which was fine, but after we did an assessment with the Energizing Indiana program, it dropped to $113 (both gas and electric) and has been there for almost a year now. So much better.
Energizing Indiana is a program ("funded by utility rates and there are no separate fees to participate") where a technician comes to your house, assesses your energy efficiency, and gives you a few things for around the house: CFL light bulbs, shower head and kitchen faucet head that lowers the water pressure, and a power strip. They also lowered our water heater about 30 degrees which helped with cutting our gas bill.
Source: Google Images (all photos)
If you'd like, here's a nice laundry list of changes you can make to save energy in your house.
But if you like things shortened, here's my Top Eight (couldn't think of ten) short and dirty list:
1.) Replace your light bulbs with CFLs.
2.) Turn your thermostat on your water heater to 120-140 degrees F.
3.) Use a water pressure restrict-or on your shower-head and kitchen faucet.
4.) Winterize your doors and windows. Put up your storm doors/windows, use the clear plastic covering, and re-edge your door frames need-be.
5.) Use power strips for all your major electronics.
6.) Use a programmable thermostat for your home, so that you can turn down (in winter) when you're not home, and be set to turn up upon your return.
7.) Put a brick in your toilet tank, to use less water.
8.) Make-sure all your major electronics (TV, PlayStation, computer) have an auto shut-off or sleep mode set up after so many minutes of inactivity.
Maybe not everyone reading this is from Indiana, but hopefully there's either a program in your state, by your energy company, or you can make a few of the changes mentioned above. Your wallet will thank you.
Happy savings, and stay warm out there!
Mellie