Home Energy Saving Tips: Simple Ways to Reduce Energy Consumption

For years I have wanted a clothesline out in the yard because I remember the one my mom had in her backyard. Nothing beats the smell and feel of line dried bedsheets! I decided to test out a cheap $3 temporary clothesline from Wal-Mart on my front porch this year and for the full month of April I didn’t use my dryer. I was pleasantly surprised that our electric bill dropped $10 that month just from not running the dryer. I plan to install retractable clotheslines inside my house so I can use it when it rains and when its cold. After everything dries I have been throwing everything in the dryer for 15 minutes on low heat just to get the lint and dog hair off. it works and still keeps the electric bill down.

I live in an old single wide trailer with the original windows so keeping heat in or out has been a challenge but we have managed to make it work. I invested in some good insulated blinds and the difference is crazy! it keeps the cold air in for summer time and the cold air out in the winter time. By spending a little extra money on good blinds it has helped us from running the heaters and air conditioners more than we have too.

Something to pair with the insulated blinds is blackout curtains. I love blackout curtains because not only do they help keep the sun out when you sleep, but they keep the glare off the tv. Blackout curtains are thicker than regular curtains and can keep a room cooler by reflecting the suns rays with a lighter backing.

One of the simplest ways to save electricity and money is to simply unplug electronics. If it has a light then its pulling power and running up your electric bill. We have our tv on a switch and it makes it easier to turn everything off. Its also safer to keep everything unplugged and there is no chance of frying something if lightning hits.

Growing up in an old farmhouse my parents had a wood stove to heat the entire house. I loved the heat but cutting wood was a lot of work and keeping the area clean around the stove in the house was a never ending job.

After David and I got married we used electric space heaters throughout our house and even though it kept us warm I never liked having them plugged in. The cords would get hot and I was always afraid one would turn over. We had these for many years and they ran up the electric bill every winter.

Finally, after about 6 years we switched from electric space heaters to a gas heater. One 100 gallon propane tank lasts us on average ( in our small single wide) about 4 – 6 weeks depending on how cold it gets. We did get a couple months where the temperatures stayed around zero and one tank lasted about 2 weeks going nonstop. Since switching to gas our electric bill is cheaper and I don’t have to worry about cords overheating.

Another way to save both power and money, just open the doors and windows. I like opening everything up on nice days to let the fresh air in and to blow all the dust out of the house. Any dust and pet hair will be blown down making it easier to vacuum.

After I learned I could be saving hundreds of dollars a year by simply turning the lights off whenever I leave a room I became more aware of the lights in the house I didn’t use.

I have made it a point to open the curtains during the day to let the natural light in. After all God gave us everything we need. I have also noticed my eyes and head don’t hurt as bad when I’m using natural light.

Door draft stoppers for exterior doors or closed doors to rooms not being used can help reduce energy consumption and save on the electric bill. You can buy them or make them. I made some a few years ago out of old bath towels and some left over fabric from another project. It was a good way to give new life to old towels.