At least once a year, review your monthly utility costs to see which ones cost the most. If they shouldn’t be that high, try the following tips for reducing these bills instead of watching them continue to rise higher on your monthly statements.
Contact Your Utility Companies
Call the customer service department for your utility companies to ask why the utility bill has risen recently. There may be a good reason, or it could be a mistake. If it’s not a change of prices or a mistake on their end, they might have some suggestions for you to help you find the cause of increased utility use.
They may also have other ways to save on your utility bills. Find out if you are eligible for discounts based on length of service with the company, your employer, your age, or your annual income.
Some companies have customer loyalty departments with discounts and promotions frequently available to long-term users.
Replace Older Units
Check your utility equipment routinely to see if it is working efficiently. As furnaces, propane tanks, air conditioner units, plumbing, and electric boxes get older, they can start to have problems.
They might simply become less efficient, causing your utility costs to increase, or they might stop working entirely.
Don’t wait until one of your units gives out and forces you to buy a new one in a rush without the benefit of seasonal sales and time to do proper research.
Start browsing online for ideas about the next type of unit you plan to buy before the current one gives out completely.
Schedule Routine Repairs and Maintenance
To keep your utility equipment operating effectively, get annual maintenance inspections. Of course, if you hear a strange noise, smell something funny, or realize the utility equipment is not working as it should, have it checked out promptly.
Bigger units can be more costly to fix as the problem gets worse, so schedule AC repair or other repairs as soon as you notice an issue. Regular checkups and annual inspections to address minor repairs can help to keep your utilities working well and your utility bills from getting out of control.
Economize Utility Usage
When possible, minimize your utility use. For example, turn off or unplug unused electrical appliances and devices when they are not being used. Turn down the hot water tank and furnace thermostat a few degrees to save on your heating bill.
other valuable tips:
Overspending on Energy? 4 Ways to Reduce Your Home Utility Bills
Five Ways Your Windows May Be Bringing Your Utility Bills Up
Remind everyone in the family to turn off the faucets completely to prevent drips that can raise your water bill and to limit the length of their showers. You can also raise the thermostat a few degrees in the summer and lower it a few degrees in the winter so that your HVAC unit doesn’t have to work so hard. Small efforts can contribute to reducing your utility costs.
The utility bill might not be something you think about too hard until it’s out of control. However, by taking the time to understand which utilities are charging you the most and why, you can take steps now to prevent ridiculously high cost later. Take care of broken equipment, repairs, and regular maintenance, and look at limiting your usage when you can.
Image Credit: which utilities are costly by envato.com
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