Thinking Money | Free Financial Advice and Tips

Ways to Save on Gas and Electricity

Posted on 12. Mar, 2009 in Saving money

Everywhere we look, whether it’s on the television, radio or newspaper, we’re hearing about how expensive it is and how we all need to cut back and learn to conserve gas and electricity. How can we do this when we have to have both you may be asking? While we do need both gas and electricity, there are many ways we can conserve and save money.

Good Car Maintenance

Few people realize how much more fuel an automobile uses when it’s in need of repairs, even small repairs. Simple maintenance like tune-ups (new spark plugs, wires, air and fuel filters) will help your automobile to run more efficiently. Having your tires correctly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendations can save you a few miles per gallon. Driving 5 km/h less will also save you petrol. While we’re on the subject of petrol, you can save a lot by cutting back on the number of trips you make each day.

Home Appliances

The average home has over six appliances (freezer, stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, etc.). All of these appliances use gas, electricity or both, which equates into a lot of expenses to operate.

Children love opening the refrigerator just “see what we got”. Limit the number of times the door is opened on refrigerators and freezers as well as the duration.

Appliances like washing machines and dishwashers should only be run when you have a full load. Unless you absolutely need it, consider using warm or cold water (laundry) as opposed to hot. Hanging your clothes on an outdoor clothes line in the summer will save you money on the expense of a dryer as well as give your laundry a much fresher smell.

When you’re not using appliances, shut them off. Turning off lights when leaving a room can also save money. When you purchase appliances, always look for those that are energy efficient. If you have older appliances, make sure they are running as efficiently as possible.

Heating & Cooling

We go through a lot of money each year on heating and cooling our homes. While comfort is important year round, there are ways we can be comfortable while still saving money. Consider lowering your thermostat a few degrees in the winter, especially when you retire for the night. Using an extra blanket can make up the difference of the heat you may lose. Take advantage of the sunlight during the day by having your drapes open. Avoid using small electric heaters as these use up a lot of electricity. Ceiling fans are very effective for heating and cooling your home and use less electricity than your furnace and air conditioner.

In the summer time, keep your drapes closed during the hottest part of the day to keep your home cooler. Opening your windows early in the day while it’s still cool will lessen the amount of time you’ll need the air conditioner operating at full capacity. Try to avoid baking during the hottest part of the day as this will also make your air conditioner use more energy.

Recycling

Recycling is something we are hearing more and more about every day. By recycling, we are not only saving electricity and money but we are helping our environment as well.

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