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There’s no doubt that energy prices are too damn high and continue to climb up, which means that you’ll have to spend more on your monthly electricity bills. Lowering your bills doesn’t require spending money on green power gadgets or sacrificing your sanity. A few simple steps and new habits can cut down your household’s energy consumption and help you save money in the long run. Not to mention, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint.

1. Compare Energy Plans

Check how much you’re paying per kilowatt hour. You could be paying more than you have to. Find out if you can get a cheaper deal for your household’s needs by comparing energy companies. Though free gifts or vouchers are quite tempting, don’t give in easily and keep in mind that the best deals are the ones that suit your energy use patterns.

2. Identify Power Guzzlers

You may have appliances and other household items that are energy inefficient and costing you a fortune by using on a daily basis. Identify these appliances and items and replace them with energy-efficient ones or use them more efficiently or less often to help cut costs. Replace incandescent bulbs with efficient compact fluorescent light (CFL) globes. Switch on lights appropriate to the level of light your activity needs. Dry your laundry on the clothesline on a good weather instead of using the clothes dryer. Use heating and air conditioners only when necessary.

3. Electric Hot Water

Electric hot water can account for a third of your total annual power use. Try switching to an off-peak, hard wired electric hot water system if you’re on a single rate tariff. You can also reduce your overall electricity consumption by decreasing your thermostat setting. Washing your clothes with cold water and taking shorter showers can also help you save money, since less water needs to be heated.

4. Consider Switching To Natural Gas/Solar Powered Heating Systems

Natural gas is not just cheaper to run but it also produces lower carbon emissions than coal. Check whether the option to switch to natural gas is available in your area and can be connected to your home. Although installation of solar panels can cost a fortune upfront, solar energy is a clean and efficient source of energy that can save you money in the over time.

5. Small Things Add Up

You might be wasting energy and money without even realising it. Appliances and electronic devices still uses energy even on standby mode, so unplug them when not in use. Take advantage of the sun’s natural warmth by opening the blinds and curtains during the day, but keep them closed if you have the heating running. A little research on how to be more energy efficient can help you save a fortune.

Whether you want to ease your impact on the environment or just wish to save a few bucks, reducing your energy use can get you there. Among the most expensive components of your utility bill are your heating and cooling costs, especially if you’re in regions with extreme temperature shifts. Luckily, there are some new, innovative and tried-and-tested ways to tame your energy consumption without sacrificing comfort.

1. Install Quilted Curtains To Block Drafts

To increase your comfort and keep the temperature down, consider quilted curtains instead of turning up the heat in the house to compensate for exposed windows. Curtains are also easy to install and are available in various colours, patterns and sizes.

2. Bundle Up With Warm Accessories

This is probably the easiest way to save on your heating bill. Put on a cozy winter sweater and warm socks instead of turning up the heat. You can also keep throw blankets on the couch or add an area rug for floor insulation.

3. Get A Humidifier To Add Moisture To The Air

Since moist air feels warmer and holds heat better, getting a humidifier can help you feel comfortable when your thermostat is set at a lower temperature. A collection of house plants can also increase the humidity in your home.

4. Turn Down The Heat And Still Be Comfortable

Turning down the thermostat during winter can help you save money. But if you don’t want to wear extra clothes to stay warm, then a space heater may be for you. Though fireplaces and fireplace inserts can provide space heating, electric heaters are the easiest way to warm up a room. A towel warmer can act as a small space heater for your bathroom and also provides you with a toasty towel after bathing. Though they may not save energy, towel warmers can keep you warm in the bathroom when the house thermostat is turned down.

5. Keep Your Furnace Clean And Unblocked

Keeping your furnace and vents properly maintained will reduce your energy consumption and help you save money. Regularly check your furnace filter and replace it whenever they get dirty.

6. Only Use Exhaust Fans When Necessary

Exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom pull the hot air that rises to the ceiling out of your apartment. Use these fans sparingly and shut them off when you’re done using them.

7. Invest In Insulation

Don’t waste money because of escaping heat and cold air brought by improper insulation. Get some inexpensive insulation and cover up all those areas where heat might escape. Foam weather stripping for your doors and windows is cheap and extremely easy to apply.

8. Make Your Windows Work For You

Keep the blinds or drapes open on windows with direct sun exposure to let the sunlight heat the room. Close the blinds and drapes to cover the cold glass at night.

Improper protection of your home’s thermal envelope, — includes the roof, walls, windows and doors, directly affects not just your house’s heating and cooling loads but your energy costs as well. Here are some practices that will help you lower your utility bill as well as improve your home’s comfort and overall value.

1. Insulation

Insulating your home properly will dramatically lower your heating and cooling costs.

• Start at the top. Your attic floor or the ceiling of your top story, is your home’s primary candidate for insulation. Better insulating your attic or top floor could save you as much as 30% of your energy costs.
• Insulate on all sides. Insulating your exterior walls can save you as much as 20% of your heating and cooling costs.
• Energy loss underfoot. You can save about 8% of your energy costs by insulating the floor over any unheated areas such as crawl spaces, basements and garages.

2. Weather Stripping

Stop leaks and weatherstrip to seal around movable joints like doors or windows. This is mostly a do it yourself job. Consider how durable the material need to be if you go shopping for weather-stripping. Since there are several varieties of weather-stripping available, take into account whether you’re using it for a heavily used door or a window that’s almost always closed. Here are some practices to properly weatherise your home.

• Threshold Weather Stripping. Buy the approximate height and width of material you need and trim to the size of your door. Fasten by nailing into place.
• Door-Bottom Weather Stripping. Aluminium and vinyl stripping for the bottom of your door is inexpensive, fairly easy to install and can last for several years.
• Tubular Vinyl Gasket Stripping. Used for windows and doors, it’s durable and flexible enough to seal uneven gaps and joints.
• Thin Spring Metal Stripping. Excellent and durable for windows and doors, though this is likely to be the most expensive. It’s practically invisible when properly applied.
• Foam-Backed Tape. Easy to install and inexpensive, but wears out easily. This is good for windows and doors that aren’t frequently used.

3. Caulking

Caulking seals cracks and joints to keep drafts and moisture out of your home. Apply it where two unmoving parts of the building come together, including around window sill and door frames, where wood siding meets a concrete foundation, around chimneys, water faucets, intake and exhaust vents, etc. Remove any old caulk, clean the surface and allow the area to dry before starting a caulking project.