1. If you have large sliding glass doors, place something dark under them during winter months. You will be surprised how much heat can be generated from the sun beating on them.
2. If you heat your home with solar energy, foldable shutters can really make a difference. They should be open during the day when the sun is penetrating the windows. At night, shut the shutters to seal off heat loss through the windows.
3. Check the Pressure in Your Tires ? Underinflated tires can reduce gas mileage by 3 to 5 percent and wear out the tires. Make sure to maintain pressures at the top end of the suggested psi of the tire.
4. Programmable Thermostats Save Money ? Heating your home can be expensive. Programmable thermostats let you save money by setting the times when heating should occur and when it should not such as when you are at work.
5. Insulate Your Hot Water Heater ? Your hot water heater can be a huge waste of money. The heat escapes through the walls of the heater. Buy one of the water heater insulation wraps to save money.
6. Water Heating Costs ? You can save a ton of money by addressing water heating costs. A family of four uses 700 gallons of water a week bathing. Fix dripping faucets and switch to low flow faucets. Doing so will cut your water heating costs in half.
7. Heating Bottom Floors ? If you have a multi-level home, heating the bottom floor can be a bear. To keep rooms warm and avoid a sauna on the top floors, close all doors for the rooms on the bottom floor when the heat is on.
8. Window Energy Wasters ? If you turn on the heater or air conditioning, make sure all your windows are really closed. Most sliding windows will catch just before actually closing because of their locking mechanism.
9. Financing Energy Efficiency in New York ? If you live in New York, you can get financing for buying energy efficient products for your home. Financing is up to $10,000 and can be used for purchase and installation.
10. Coasting Gas Mileage ? You can improve your gas mileage by not roaring up to red lights and stop signs. It is RED! Coasting can add two to three miles to your mpg ratings.
None of these changes will save you big bucks in the next month. Over time, however, they can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings. Every incremental change saves you money each and every month.
