Reduce Utility Bills

Lower Winter Utilities

Jan — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:37:08 +0000

I was able to lower my winter utility bills by putting off turning on my natural gas heater. I used a space heater that I carried around to the room that I was in. Though there was an increase in my electric bill, it was less than the combination of the increase in the gas AND increase in the electric bill.

I eventually had to turn on the heater when uncommonly cold weather hit, but I still kept the bill down by using my electric heater.

CAUTION - if you have an electric heater that does not turn off automatically if it gets hot or tips…DO NOT LEAVE IT UNATTENDED. I would also recommend turning it of when you go to sleep. Get an extra blanket and get up a little early to turn it on and warm up your room.

Financial Crisis Site

Jan — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:28:33 +0000

When going through a financial crisis, it is even more important to reduce your utility bills. The Financial Crisis Survival Site has some ways to help you to reduce your utility bills.

Surviving a financial crisis takes creativity and the ability to keep your spirits up. When you are depressed you will be less likely to come up with ways to save money and survive the crisis. There are many encouraging posts on the site in addition to practical ways to get through the crisis.

Time To Save Money

Jan — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:14:16 +0000

It is time to start saving money again. I haven’t posted on this blog for some time, but it is time for that to change and find ways to save money on utilities to be able to reduce utility bills this summer. Though some areas are still experiencing cold, here in AZ we are hitting the upper 90’s and it is getting hot out!

Save on Heating Bill

Jan — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 14:30:29 +0000

Every time your heater kicks on, the money starts being added to your heating bill. It could mean a higher electric bill or both your natural gas and electric bill growing.

If you have used weather stripping, lowered your temperatures, and followed other suggestions, you may find that your heater is still starting up often. Look at where your thermostat is located. It may not be able to be moved, but you may still be able to control how often it turns on.

SAVING MONEY BY BLOCKING YOUR THERMOSTAT

If your thermostat is near a door that opens often, you may be able to tape a piece of cardboard that is on the side that the door is on. You may have to play around with it a little bit to get it right.

Remember heat rises and you may be able to reduce the number of times it turns on by taping a piece of cardboard above the top of the thermostat to keep the heat from rising and cooling.

SAVING MONEY ON HEATING BY CONTROLLING THE TEMPERATURE NEAR A THERMOSTAT

I have a thermostat in a little hallway that is near my garage door. Though the garage door isn’t used much, I realized there was cold air coming in. I put a cloth air stopper (long tube that blocks the air from the bottom of the door) and it made a big difference.

If you can, adjust the temperature to compensate when the temperature near the thermostat area tends to be cooler.

Reduce Natural Gas Bill

Jan — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:09:37 +0000

A very simple way to reduce your gas bill is to check the pilot lights on anything that has a pilot light. You may be able to adjust it and reduce your natural gas utility bill. There is a little screw that will adjust the pilot light. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, ask for help from someone who knows what they are doing or it may be worth hiring someone to do it. You can search online to find out how to do it or contact your natural gas provider.

Financial Crisis Blog Launched

Jan — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:36:14 +0000

The blog I mentioned a few weeks back was officially launched today. If you are looking at ways to reduce your utility bills because you are in a financial crisis, you will want to check out this new blog. The Financial Crisis Blog not only has practical, free ideas to handle a financial crisis, it also has encouraging words to help you get through your financial crisis. You will find ways to deal with a financial crisis and ways to prevent one.

With the holidays coming, you will find ways to have a memorable Christmas even if you are going through a financial crisis. When you have children, it can be even more challenging to face a financial crisis and face the holidays. There are posts to help with all that.

The blog isn’t for those who need a handout or want to be rescued from their crisis, it is for people who are ready to deal with it, take responsibility, and do what they need to so they can get out of a financial crisis.

Reducing Electric Bills

Jan — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 15:45:52 +0000

Here are some ways one lady reduced her electric bills after getting a very high electric bill. It is an amateur video that is sometimes funny with a great helpful hint-unplug unused items.

It just shows how anyone can figure out new ways to save money on utility bills like an electric bill when they are tired of paying high bills or after a utility is turned off.

Financial Crisis and Utility Bills

Jan — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:08:24 +0000

When in a financial crisis, there is even more reasons to find ways to save on utility bills or to save money other ways to have money available to pay your utility bills. There is a blog that not only has a lot of ideas how to save money and survive a financial crisis, but also how to stay encouraged and to keep your faith during a financial crisis.

The blog is the CRISIS SURVIVAL BLOG. There is a personal journal of someone that is going through a financial crisis. It has resources for help and ways to avoid spending money. It will help in changing how you think about spending money.

365 Ways to Save Money

Jan — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:08:56 +0000

There is a new blog, 365 Ways to Save Money. This will be a site to keep your eyes on. It just got started but eventually it will have ways to save money every day of the year. You will find ideas to save money in many areas including how to save money on utilities which will help you to reduce your utility bills.

The blog has a simple and bright design. In addition to saving money on utility bills you will finding ways to save money on transportation, shopping, housing, debts, and much more on the blog, 365 Ways to Save Money.

Winter Showers

Jan — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:36:36 +0000

There is nothing like being wet and cold to prompt the heat being turned up. There are a few things to do to make taking a shower in the winter more comfortable even if you have the heat turned down to reduce utility bills.

Here are some ideas:

Use a small space heater to warm up the bathroom before your shower. Be sure to remove it and turn it off before you get the water turned on, especially if you have a small bathroom.
Run the water for a little while with the door shut. The steam will heat up the bathroom.
Dry yourself thoroughly and you will feel warm. If you have long or thick hair, keep it wrapped in a towel to avoid it dripping and to absorb as much water as possible.
Bring your clothes into the bathroom. Getting dressed in the bathroom will be warmer than dressing in the colder parts of the house. Be careful clothes don’t get wet or fall on the damp bathmat.
Purchase an extra thick robe if you have to go from the shower or bath to another room to dress.
If possible and safe, dry your hair with a hair dryer before leaving the bathroom. Focus on the hair next to the scalp and if you have long hair, if you can let the top layer dry on its own.
Use slippers to keep your feet warm.
Take a shower as close to the warmest part of the day as possible.
Use a small space heater in the room you are changing in.

Even if you do turn up your heat for a little while around the time you shower, it is still better than having it up all the time. Just remember to turn it back down when the shower is over.