With cost of living on the rise, many people are looking for ways to save more of their hard-earned money. Here are a few tips to save money and use less energy. They are easy to implement and won’t break your budget or have you tapping the kid’s piggy banks.

Dishwasher:

• Air dry your dishes instead of using the dishwasher’s heat dry setting.
• Run the dishwasher only when it’s full and after 7pm when utility rates are lower.
• Pre-rinse dishes and use the energy-saver setting.

Washer and Dryer:

• Wash clothes on cold wash/cold rinse setting and hang dry if you have a clothesline on warmer days.
• Soak soiled clothing overnight to help stain removal and use the lowest setting.
• Dry clothes until just dry or slightly damp and hang up on hangers to finish drying.
• Wash when you have a full load and do it early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid peak charges.

Weatherization:

• Install weather stripping to windows and doors.
• Seal air leaks with caulking.
• Check for adequate insulation levels.

Thermostats:

• Lower thermostats in the winter when you go on vacation or holiday trips, keep it at 55 degrees.
• Turn down your thermostat by 10 degrees when you leave the house for 8 hours or more.
• Install a programmable thermostat for convenience and create your own custom settings.

Other Ways to Save:

• Install a whole-house fan in the attic to pull in cool air and help remove heat and humidity.
• Install awnings on windows that get the most sun to reduce heat transfer.
• Roller blinds or window film are an inexpensive solution to reducing heat transfer.
• Replace older appliances with newer Energy Star appliances for increased energy savings.
• Purchase and install an Energy Star programmable thermostat and save $100 a year on energy costs.
• Turn off lights and unplug appliances when not in use.
• Install a dimmer switch and timer to turn lights on automatically ½ hour before you arrive home.
• Reduce oven use by making meals in the microwave or crock pot.
• Replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs in all light fixtures.

These are just a few ways you can save a little extra money on utility costs. The less you use something, the less it costs. Turning off lights, lowering your thermostat and using electric appliances efficiently will save you the most money and reduce your carbon footprint for those wanting to live a greener lifestyle.

Contact the heating and air conditioning experts at ABA Heating and Cooling for more ways to save and for expert AC repair service.