Since the typical American family spends more than $1600 per year on energy costs, this can represent a large chunk of your single parent family budget. You can cut that cost down by following the tips below.
Many utility companies offer a low-cost in-home survey to give you tips on reducing your bill. This can be well worth as they will be able to give you an idea of what changes would give you the most savings per dollar spent. And, the advice is customized to your house.
Make sure that the temperature on your hot water heater is set below 120 degrees. Not only can this save you money, but it may also save a small child from getting scalded.
You may want your house to be warm when your kids are with you, but if they have visitation with their other parent, consider adjusting your thermostat lower while they are gone. You can also turn your heat down during the day if you are gone or better yet, get an adjustable thermostat which will allow you to program in different temperatures by time of day.
Compact fluorescent bulbs or LED bulbs may cost more initially, but over time, they can deliver a cost savings. An added bonus is that you do not have to change light bulbs as often.
Be sure to get your heating and cooling systems serviced yearly. This will help catch any problems before you are faced with a nonfunctioning system and keep them running optimally which will help save you money.
If your furnace or central air unit is over ten years old, a new one may pay for itself over time in utility bill savings. When you are shopping, be sure to compare the projected cost savings of more energy-efficient units. Sometimes these pay off, and sometimes they do not. Also ask about the expected repairs as some systems can have more frequent and costly repairs which could eat up your savings.
More energy-saving tips to help your single parent finances will be posted in a future article.
The Home Energy Diet: How to Save Money by Making Your House Energy-Smart (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)
Cut Your Energy Bills Now: 150 Smart Ways to Save Money and Make Your Home More Comfortable and Green