Save money around your house in 2014
2014 is just around the corner and your New Year Resolutions may include saving money. There are a lot of simple ways to save money throughout the year without having to go a month without grocery shopping, or buying gas. Here are just a few of Outdoor Design Build’s top energy saver ideas that are very simple and can help you jump start your 2014 Resolutions.
Turn off the lights! Sounds like something your mom and dad used to pound into your head before you left for school when you were younger. Most of us automatically turn off the lights when we leave a room, and some of us decided to keep the house lit while we are home. But, lighting is responsible for about 11% of a home’s energy bills, and energy bills will begin to increase across most of the country when home prices are falling.
DIY. If you have simple home improvement projects or repairs, look for free DIY workshops at places like The Home Depot, Lowe’s or your local hardware store. The workshops cover everything from installing outdoor lighting to refinishing furniture and cabinets to designing and installing a tile floor or back splash. Of course, unless you really know what you’re doing, save big jobs like electrical wiring and complicated plumbing work for the pros, or you may create a situation that’s even more costly to correct, not to mention dangerous.
Go to the Library. Instead of buying books, movies and e-books, rent them! At the library, you can rent all of that for free! The library is truly a great resource for entertainment and it is free.
Pull the plug on that second fridge located in the hot garage or utility room. Duke Energy Progress will pick it up and pay $50 to recycle it.
Lower your thermostat every time you leave the house. Keep your thermostat at 60 degrees during the winter months when you are gone on vacation. Be sure not to turn it off so your pipes will not freeze.
Sources:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/energy-conservation-turn-off-lights-460107
