How to Keep Summer Utility Costs in Check by Timberline Financial

NEW YORK, June 27, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The summer months can be expensive to navigate. Families incur additional costs from rising utility bills, increased daycare expenses, and vacation costs, which can strain the family budget. The cost of utilities can double from the increased use of HVAC units combating high temperatures and additional water usage to keep gardens and yards thriving.

Finding effective ways to keep costs in check can prevent you from spending unnecessarily in order to bridge the gap. Fortunately, there are simple measures to keep costs down. Here are effective ways to lower utility bills even when the temperature gauge rises.

Lowering Your HVAC Bill

    --  Running the air conditioner can influence up to 50% of your power bill.
        Whether you operate on gas or electric power, there are small changes
        you can make that will make a big impact on your bill.

Inspect your HVAC unit.

    --  Before the summer gets underway, have a professional inspect and clean
        your unit. Routine maintenance will keep the AC running efficiently and
        ensure you have adequate freon to cool your home. Low coolant and
        clogged air vents will wear out the motor faster and make it harder to
        keep the home cool. Other simple tasks you can complete include,
        changing air filters regularly, ensuring furniture does not block vents,
        and removing dust and debris from the system.

Raise the thermostat.

    --  One of the most effective ways to lower costs is to set the thermostat
        at a higher temperature. Consider programming your programmable
        thermostat to raise the temperature while you are at work or away from
        home. Doing so can shave 1% off the bill for every degree you raise the
        temperature for 8 hours or more. On the other hand, do not turn the AC
        off when you leave, because this action can actually raise your power
        bill. When the home gets hot during your absence, it takes more energy
        to cool the home. The unit will run non-stop on high until the house
        reaches your desired comfort level instead of coming on occasionally to
        adjust the temperature a few degrees.

Use fans strategically.

    --  Turning on fans in occupied rooms can allow you to run the central AC
        unit at a higher temperature. Ceiling fans are particularly useful in
        circulating air in a room.

Close vents and shut doors in unoccupied rooms.

    --  The growing size of homes can leave you cooling additional square
        footage for rooms you do not regularly use. Closing vents in unused
        rooms and keeping doors closed can lower your power bill. Separate
        thermostats in lightly used areas are another effective way to reduce
        the cost of heating basements or infrequently used areas of the home.

Reduce Air Leaks.

    --  It is common for homes to have places where air escapes. These are often
        small passages that allow cold air outside and warm air into your home.
        Start with major areas such as door and windows. You can caulk areas
        with gaps or add weather stripping to prevent air loss. If you can see
        the light from outside through or around a door or window, air is
        escaping. After sealing these areas look around fixtures, attics, and
        even light sockets on exterior walls for air loss.Many utility companies
        offer free energy audits, which can identify your biggest areas of
        concern.

Turn off the lights when not in use.

    --  Lights not only use power, but they also produce heat. In addition to
        turning off the lights or installing motion sensors to activate lights,
        you can also save money by converting to low wattage bulbs. Spiral
        fluorescent and LED lights have a higher upfront cost, but they last
        longer, use less energy, and run cooler than traditional light bulbs.
        Another strategy to bring light into the home is open curtains and
        blinds to receive natural light, which can eliminate the need to keep
        the lights on. In the heat of the day, natural light can add heat to
        your home. In this case, closing blinds and curtains in unused rooms and
        sun-facing rooms can lower the heat levels caused by the sun's
        radiation.

Avoid using the oven and dryer.

    --  Both of these appliances add a lot of heat to your house. The dryer uses
        the most power of all other appliances, except for the refrigerator. To
        reduce dryer use, hang clothes outside, use the dryer on cooler days, or
        use it in the morning before work.To reduce stove usage, cook outdoors,
        use a toaster oven instead of the kitchen oven, or cook in the
        microwave.

Lowering Your Water Bill

    --  The second bill largely impacted by warm weather is the water bill. Hot
        summer days increase water use by family members as well as keeping
        gardens and lawns fresh and growing. Here are a few simple strategies to
        lower the water bill during the summer months.

Water plants during the coolest part of the day.

    --  Whether you want a green lawn or flowers and vegetables, water in the
        early morning or late evening. Watering midday leads to fast
        evaporation, losing much of its benefits. Homes with automatic
        sprinklers should ensure their positioning will only water the lawn and
        not the driveway. There are also many systems that have settings that
        will prevent sprinklers from coming on during or shortly after rain.

Choose water-resistant plants designed to grow well in your climate.

    --  Hardy plants require less water to thrive and can reduce the need to
        water frequently.

Redirect rainwater.

    --  Capturing rainwater from drainage spouts will allow you to water your
        garden without running up the water bill.

If you are burdened with high amounts of credit card debt and are struggling to make your payments, or you're just not seeing your balances go down, call Timberline Financial today for a FREE financial analysis. Our team of highly skilled professionals will evaluate your current situation to see if you may qualify for one of our debt relief programs. You don't have to struggle with high-interest credit card debt any longer. Call (855) 250-8329 or get in touch with us by sending a message through our website at https://timberlinefinancial.com/.

SOURCE Timberline Financial