11 Home Projects That Can Lower Your Utility Bills

#1: Weather Stripping

A simple and inexpensive way to reduce your heating/cooling costs is to install weather stripping.  Check around windows, doors for any gaps or air leaks and seal them with new weather stripping.  Around the perimeter of your house you can use caulk to fill visible gaps and weather stripping as applicable.

#2: Windows

Inspect your windows to ensure that there are no air leaks around the sides (see weather stripping).  If you have single pane windows, consider installing more energy-efficient double pane windows.

#3: Attic Insulation

Most of the heat in your house will escape through the attic.  This is because heat rises and most homes are not adequately insulated under the roof.  Fiberglass insulation is an easy fix to this problem.  You could save up to 20% on your heating bill by appropriately insulating your house.

#4: Ductwork

You should check your ductwork for air leakage.  An average of 25% of the air that moves through your duct system can be lost due to holes or ductwork separations.  Call a professional for an inspection.

#5: Thermostat

If you don't have one already, consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat.  These types of thermostats can be programmed for the times that you are at your home, are away from home, are asleep, and wake up.  You can take that a step farther and get one of the new smart thermostats that are new on the market, which can be controlled on the go via cell phone app.  Shop around, read reviews, and call a professional before attempting to self-install.

#6: Plants

Planting leafy plants and trees outside your house can prevent your house from heating up too much in the warmer months.  These plants can shade your house reducing the amount of sun shining on your roof, in your windows, and on your outdoor air conditioning unit all while improving the appearance of your home's exterior.

#7: Outlets/Switches

Reducing drafts can be as easy as insulating behind light switches and outlets (especially on outside walls).  This is a super easy project that is often overlooked because homeowners do not think that this can be a source of drafts.

#8: Appliances

With so many options on the market now, there are so many HE (high-efficiency) and energy-saving appliances available to consumers.  If your appliance is more than 20 years old, consider purchasing energy-star rated appliances.  Another way to cut down on appliance energy usage is washing your laundry with cold water.

#9: Faucet

Water waste is sometimes overlooked since it is such a necessary utility.  However, we can greatly reduce our water usage in several ways in the home.  Turn the water off while shaving and brushing teeth.  Turn off the shower while soaping up and only run the water to rinse off.  Don't run loads of laundry and dishes unless they're full loads.  These basic tips can save you up to 10 gallons a day on your bill, or over 900 per quarter.  Additionally, check your toilets and faucets to ensure they are not dripping.  To check if your toilet leaks silent, put a few drops of food coloring into your tank and watch for about 10 minutes.  If you start to see color in the bowl, it may be time for a new flapper.

#10: Showerhead

It goes without saying that the biggest water waster in the average home is the shower.  We recommend a low-flow showerhead which uses only approximately 1.5 gallons per minute as opposed to a regular shower head which uses approximately 5 gallons per minute.

#11: Water Heater

You can save quite a bit of energy by simply insulating your water heater.  Insulating hot water heater jackets can prevent heat loss by 25-45%.  This fix is so easy and cheap you could do it yourself.