Easy Stuff You Can Do to Save Money around the House

Low cost items that lower bills:

• $2 – Toilet Fill Diverter – Easy to install & no change to toilet power: http://www.greendare.com/toilet-water-saver-the-fill-master-fill-cycle-diverter-product-1016.htm\

• $4 per faucet – Faucet Aerators – Easy to install & minor change to faucet flow (you can get .7 gallon per minute @ lowes) Bathrooms: .7gpm, Kitchens 1.5gpm : http://www.fypower.org/res/tools/products_results.html?id=100160 (Take the one you are replacing with you to the store.)

• $2 per bulb in 4packs – Easy to install & no big change to light: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=cfl&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 (be aware – there are different color temperatures http://www.nvisioncfl.com/color-temperature.aspx – I prefer Soft White)

• $4 per strip – Easy to install & erases stand-by power draw – turn off power strip if not using TV, VCR, power bricks – http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=90581-16503-PB00100X2&lpage=none

Mid cost items that lower bills:

• $20 – Water Heater Blanket – Easy to install, higher R Value is better ONLY USE IF WATER HEATER IS IN UN-HEATED SPACE – http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=4294961544&Ne=4294967294&Ntk=i_products&Ntt=water+heater+blanket

• $50 – Showerhead – Easy to install, good shower, bonus: know when the water is warm – http://evolveshowerheads.com/roadrunner_showerhead.html

• $40 – HVAC Thermostat – More advanced – get a $20 rebate? from Questar – http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=126339-79-44260&lpage=none

• $40 – Evap Cooler Thermostat – More advanced – http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=15779-13579-7619&lpage=none

Various window/door specific: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/heat-cold/5-ways-to-insulate-your-windows-for-winter-037643
Blocking holes in the walls and windows makes a HUGE difference.
Plastic / foil isn’t the most attractive, but you can take it down when the season is right.

Also, you can get a humidifier for winter and only run it while you are home.  Will make the house feel warmer (this increases the heat in the air because even slightly humid air holds more heat than dry air).
Drop the thermostat by 5 degrees when you are home and wear more clothes.
Drop the thermostat to 55 degrees when you aren’t home (this keeps the pipes from freezing and bursting. 60 or more degrees in an older home with poor insulation).
Drop to 55 and use more blankets at night.

If you are plan to be out of a room for more than 23 seconds, turn off the light.
Try to only use lights you actually need.

We’ve installed/used all of these.
Our bills have all dropped by roughly half.

You can install a lot of these even if you rent.
Often the landlord will reimburse you.
If they don’t, then just put the old fixtures back when you leave and use the money & environment saving devices in your next place.