Utility Bills
There are lots of ways to save on the bills you pay every month. Find the very best strategies for cutting back on electricity costs, saving on oil and gas, getting discounts on your cable or satellite bill, and more.
We have the LOZO on how to save without having to give up whatever luxuries or necessities are most important to you.
Don't know where to start? Check out our quick guide on How to Save Money Every Month
TIPS
- Bundle cable, internet and phone services to save money
Use the same company for cable, telephone and internet access. Often bundling these services together is more economical than paying for them separately. About $100 per month (before taxes and fees) should cover all three services, and you'll [...] - Conduct an energy audit
A home energy or utility audit is a great way to assess energy usage in your home to see where improvements can be made. It will reveal the efficiency of home heating and cooling systems, uncover any energy-drainers in the home and show ways to [...] - Seal leaky ducts and improve insulation
Inspect the duct work and insulation throughout the home to check for leaks. Look for holes in ducts, and for sections that should be joined but have separated. Look for dirty insulation, which is a sign of a leak.
Pay special attention to [...] - Use a single provider for all utility services to get a better price
Most utility companies will offer discounts if you use them for both gas and electricity, plus you'll get the added convenience of only having to deal with one bill each month. - Always review bills so you don't pay for mistakes
Be sure to thoroughly review bills each month. If paying online, still view the bill online before submitting payment. Looking at a bill line-by-line is the easiest way to check for over-charges or questionable fees. Look for long distance phone [...] - Pay bills on time to avoid late fees and service interruptions
Never wait until the last minute to pay a bill. Late fees can add up if utility companies do not receive a payment on time. If mailing a check, keep it mind it can take a week to get there. See if your utility company will accept credit card [...] - Grab an energy-saving booklet from the local utility company and create an action plan to cut costs
Most utility companies offer pamphlets or booklets with advice for cutting electricity costs. Some even print suggestions on the monthly bill. Go over the suggestions with family members, especially teenagers and kids, and come up with a family plan [...] - Keep track of utility bills, payments, maintenance and repairs
With online bill pay, it is easier to keep track of payments, but still a good idea to print out a quarterly statement and save it in a bill file. For those paying by check, write the check number and date mailed on each bill stub, and keep it on [...] - Ask a utility company for discounts
The easiest way to get a discount is to ask for one. Look on your utility company's website to see what specials or discounts they may have, including those for the elderly or disabled. Some utility companies offer discounts for energy efficient [...] - Off-peak hour utility discounts are a quick and easy money-saver
Some utility companies offer discounted rates for non-peak hours, which are often later at night. Use these times to do laundry and wash dishes, and pay less in the process. - Check into budget billing programs for worry-free utility bills
See if your utility company has a price averaging or budget billing program. These allow you to budget and pay the same amount each month, instead of having to worry about increased bills in winter and summer. Programs vary by utility provider, so [...] - For low-income families, consider protecting utility accounts with a medical necessity letter
For those facing financial difficulties and the possibility of having utilities shut off, try to get a doctor's letter if you have an infant or elderly person in the home, or a medical condition which necessitates having power. A doctor's letter [...] - Cut the shower flow to save $265/year | Water Bill
Low flow shower heads can cost as little as $10 but can save up to $265 per year. They can reduce flow to as little as 1.5 gallons per minute, which is much more water efficient than the old ones that use up to 5.5 gallons per minute, all without [...] - Go with an ENERGY STAR rated dishwasher and washing machine, and only run it when full | Water Bill
When buying a new dishwasher or washing machine, look for the ENERGY STAR rating. These will be more energy and water-efficient, saving money on water and electric bills.
For dishwashers, skip pre-rinsing to save water and only run the dishwasher [...] - Use free internet (or get it for less) | Internet Service
Free Wi-Fi is pretty plentiful these days. Mobile carriers are rolling out more and more free coverage in order to relieve the burden on their cell phone networks. Local restaurants and coffee shops are offering service so you'll stay longer [...] - Light up with fluorescents to lower your electric bill | Electricity
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use only 1/4 of the energy of traditional incandescent bulbs. They will rapidly work to reduce your energy costs, plus they last much, much longer (8,000 hours as opposed to a meager 750-1000 hours). That means [...] - Install a programmable thermostat to save 10-20% on the heating bill | Electricity
Programmable thermostats can be found at any hardware store and are easy to install. You can set them to automatically adjust the temperature according to time of day.
For example: you can program it to turn down or off for the hours you are at [...] - Stay cool for less, with a fan | Electricity
Ceiling fans are an extremely efficient way to cool a house, circulating cooler air while using less energy than air conditioning. Plus there are even more ways to stay cool with strategic use of fans, plus winter benefits as well. - Keep the fridge and freezer full to conserve energy | Electricity
Did you know that the freezer functions best when it's close to full? This is true for both deep freezers and regular ones. If your freezer has a lot of empty space, it has to work harder to keep the food cold. As a goal, try to keep the freezer at [...] - Cut your AC bill by up to 30% with a little home make-over | Electricity
Lower your electricity bill in the warmer months with a little home-makeover. Consider planting trees outside of bright windows, adding drapery or shades, or even applying window tints or exterior awnings to block some of the sun's direct [...]
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