Busting the Money Myths Your Mother Told You
Sometimes it's okay not to listen to your mother. You can wear white any time of the year and leaving your air conditioner running when you're not home doesn't save money.
Making Your House More Energy Efficient
This guide has tips and ideas for making your house more energy efficient. Energy leaks, inefficient appliances, and bad habits can cost you a lot of money over the course of a year.
Collect Water While Shower Warms Up
Last year, my family ran into the not-so-fun situation of running out of water in our well. Oh, the things we take for granted! But necessity is the mother of invention and it lead me to do the following to conserve water.
Insulate Windows With Bubble-wrap Year Round
I read this tip in my favorite magazine, Mother Earth News, a few years ago, and finally got around to trying it this year. It works!
Blankets for Doorway Insulation
We live in a tiny old cottage with no insulation in cold territory. The entrance ways to the dinette and bedroom/bathroom sections of the house are without doors.
Lower Your Water Heater Temperature
Is there really any point in having your hot water setting so high that you have to cool it down before you can use it?
Turn Off the Lights Kids (or it Will Cost You)
Teach kids the value of turning off lights as they leave a room by implying to them that each time costs (for instance) $1. Explain to them that the lights cost money every month and if you have to turn the lights out for them, each time you do that, charge them $1.
Take two tubes from the inside of wrapping paper. Cut them to about 1/2 inch shorter than the door and stuff them with news paper or junk mail. Put them inside one leg that has been cut from of a pair of nylons. Make sure it fits properly before tying the end off.
Frugal Home Winterizing from Your Power Company
Free home winterization and free lightbulbs: In many areas your power company may provide low income homeowners with a free winterization home inspection and certain power-saving fixes for the home. In other areas they may provide winterization kits for your windows free.
The water heater is the second biggest energy user in your home. Help it maintain the correct water temperature by adding extra insulation around the outside of the tank.
Ready for an audit? This one actually will put money back in your pocket rather than take it away. It might be time for your home to have an energy audit. Energy audits evaluate where your energy dollars go and what upgrades will allow you to save annually on fuel consumption.
Illinois winter blew in extra-early this year and I did not have the money to buy a much-needed storm door for the back door which leads down to the basement. The thin wooden door has nine windows and two panels on the bottom...
Tips for saving water. Post your ideas.
According to the Department of Energy, strategic planting of as few as three trees can provide the average household with an energy savings of between $100-$250 annually. It may be the best long-term investment for reducing heating and cooling costs.
