Cutting Utility Bills

  A guide to cutting your utility bills
 
By <a href="http://www.free-articles-zone.com/author/39080%22%3EEugene Sabri
</a>
 While you might hear a lot about renewable energy sources such as solar power and wind farms, over two thirds of our energy supplies still come from our non-renewable, polluting, and rapidly dwindling supply of fossil fuels such as gas and crude oil. While some people have chosen to bury their heads in the sand over the environmental issues raised by the continued burning of fossil fuels for energy, you cannot help but notice, and be affected by, the rapid rise in energy costs caused by the increasing scarcity of these resources.
This has made energy conservation an increasingly important issue for all of us. Here are some suggestions as to how you might be able to cut back on your energy usage, and your carbon footprint, without necessarily cutting back on your quality of life:
If you have an air conditioning system in your home, try running it at a slightly higher temperature. Switching it from 72 degrees Fahrenheit to 78 can cut your energy bills in half, and you’ll hardly notice the difference. Setting your thermostat just a couple of degrees lower than usual can save you over 10% of your energy bill, without noticeably reducing your level of comfort.
If you have air conditioning, keep the filters clean, as if they are dirty, the system will be working very inefficiently.Don’t heat or cool unoccupied rooms, and don’t leave your heating or air conditioning on when you are out of the house, unless there is a danger of pipes bursting if you don’t. If you are sitting about, use small, localised devices such as fans or portable heaters to supplement your larger devices.
If you are moving around the house in winter, you don’t need heated up to nearly the same extent as when you are stationary, so make sure that your seated areas are warmer.On a cold, yet bright day, leaving your windows closed while keeping your blind open will help to heat your home.
On summer nights, opening windows can cool your home just as effectively as air conditioning, without costing you a penny. Make sure that your home is properly wind and water tight. Fixing minor holes in your roof and pipes can cut up to 10% from your heating bill. Insulating your loft is one of the best ways to keep heat inside your home.
Rockwool insulation can be bought very cheaply from DIY stores, and there are sometimes grants available from the government to help with the costs. Modern gas boilers are a whole lot more fuel efficient than their older counterparts, thanks to advances in technology and strict new energy efficiency legislation. A new boiler could pay for itself within a matter of years, in terms of the money it could save you on your gas bill.
  Switch to British Gas' cheapest electricity tariff and save on your electricity. Get your cheap cheap electricity supply from British Gas. Switch to paperless gas bills to make a little more difference.

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