We live in one of those  two-story home plans with split bedrooms. The master bedroom and bath are on the first floor and three additional bedrooms are on the second floor. Our kids are constantly coming and going. Last weekend we spent a lot of quality family time at home. It was wonderful and we had a chance to talk about all sorts of things. Our main topic was how expensive things have become and as a family what we can do to spend less and live more efficiently. I explained that there are many ways we can reduce our usage of gas, water and electric in our home that will have a direct impact on our bills. We have decided to chart it out so we entered the last months of bills and are going to work as a family to really make a difference in the next six months and beyond.

When it comes to electric there are many ways to save money. Many of the new larger appliances are more energy efficient than the older models. While the old refrigerator in the garage works fine it might be wiser to replace it with an Energy Star model to save money in the long run. The newer models don’t have to work as hard and pull as much power to stay cool. Many small appliances and devices such as chargers, computers, phones, ipods, DVD players, and stereos that are plugged in are actually still drawing power. We are going to put these on a power strip and turn the strip off when they are not needed. It will be a hassle but once we get in the habit it should be fine.

The first floor and second floor each have their own HVAC systems. By purchasing and installing programmable digital thermostats we should be able to save about 10-15% annually on our bill. While everyone is out of the home during the weekday we plan to set the thermostat at one temperature and then another while we are all home. This way the units will not run around the clock and run up the bill unnecessarily.

We live in the country so the view is beautiful from all points in our home. I have let everyone know that as the day heats up it is important to close the drapes on the windows to keep the cool air in the house. And it is equally as important during the cold winter months, especially at night to close the drapes to keep the heat in. We have purchased some caulk and weather-stripping and intend to do a check around all doors and windows and close up any cracks or holes where air can get in.

All the rooms have ceiling fans so that really helps with a breeze and moving the air around. We do have a couple of rooms like the sewing room and playroom that do not get used very often. We plan to shut off the vents in these rooms when they are not being used.

Our furnace, water heater, dryer, and stove all run off of gas. By cleaning the filters every three months on the furnace, keeping the dryer lint free, flushing the water heater two times a year and making sure the stove is clean and free of food I know that these appliances are maintained well.

When it comes to heat there are many times when I feel the house is too warm and only to find out that someone has cranked the heat up. We have discussed the fact that when you come in from the cold the house may seem chilly but really it is just the chill you feel from being outside. It is important to not turn up the heat but add another layer of clothing to get warm. A quick fact is that for every one degree you turn your heat up you gas bill rises 3%.

Another quick energy saving tip is when warming up the oven to make sure as soon as the desired temperature is reached to begin cooking. Letting the oven sit empty is a huge waste so when cooking is done make sure the oven is turned off when the food is removed, not 10 minutes later when you remember.

A pet peeve of mine is the shower length. I know how nice it is to stand in the hot water and relax but when you are draining the hot water heater in the process, dollar bills should be coming out of the showerhead instead of water. We are all going to be more conscientious of shower times and the temperature of the water.

Other ways to cut back on water usage is to simply turn off the water. While washing dishes, brushing teeth, or rinsing fruit and vegetables it does not need to run continuously. Only running the dishwasher and washing machine when they are full will also reduce water usage. Don’t use the toilet as a trashcan. Every time you flush the toilet 5 to 7 gallons of water is wasted so use the trashcan and not the toilet. It is also important to make sure you don’t have any water leaks because a small leak can waste over 20 gallons a day so take a look at the pipes and the outdoor hose bibs to make sure they don’t need repaired.

I can’t wait to see how acting upon these money saving tips will save us on our monthly bills. Soon our two-story home will be an efficient machine and we will have money saved to put towards our family vacation. It will be a great feeling for everyone knowing that they played a part in saving both in our pockets and the environment.

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