There are many good reasons to lower your energy use. Not only can you help save our precious natural resources, you also can save a great deal of money. If you are a propane user, you already use a highly efficient fuel to heat your home and run appliances, but here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your energy dollar.
Keeping your home warm in the winter and cool during hot weather sucks up a huge portion of your yearly energy bill. However, there are a few ways to cut the cost. A programmable thermostat will allow you to keep the heater off when you don’t need it and keep the temperature low late at night when you don’t need as much heat. It is also wise to make sure that the heat is staying in the house, so check doors and windows for leaks and make sure that there is enough insulation to keep the heat in.
When it comes to the air conditioner, the same rules apply. Keep the air conditioner off or set to a higher temperature when you are not at home. Make sure that cool air is not escaping through your windows and ducts and doors. Also you can install better windows or apply special insulating film to the windows that get the most direct sunlight. Shades and awnings also can reduce the impact of the sun and make it easier for your air conditioner to do its job. If you have an old heater or AC, consider upgrading to a more energy efficient system as there might even be federal credits for some upgrades.
The AC and the heater might take a ton of energy to use, but other appliances also take their toll. Newer appliances are more efficient, so when you can afford to upgrade, consider making a switch. Be sure to ask your salesperson if there are state credits or federal credits available for buying updated appliances. Only run your dishwasher when it is completely full and turn off the heated dry selection. Likewise, run only full loads of laundry and wash in cold water. If you can hang your laundry rather than using the dryer, consider doing this as much as possible, too.
Take a look around your home and you will see quite a few plugs stuck into sockets. Consider unplugging some of these, such as the microwave oven, as they use energy while just sitting there plugged in the wall. The TV and all of its accoutrements also use energy even when they are turned off, so invest in a power strip and flip the switch when you aren’t using these electronics. Your computer is just the same, so turn it off and flip off the power strip switch when it’s not being used, such as at night or when you are at work.
You can even maximize your propane dollar by purchasing your Ohio propane or your Pennsylvania propane in bulk during the hot months of the year. Generally, the price of propane drops during months such as August and July. At Thrifty Propane, customers can pre-buy hundreds of gallons of propane at the low prices and shave hundreds off their yearly utility costs.
Cath Buhr loves blogging reviews on propane retailers. For more details about Dayton propane retailers or to find local Pittsburgh propane prices, please check out the Thrifty Propane website today.