The advent of winter’s frosty weather often causes a steep spike in those electric or gas bills, if you’re not careful. Here are a few tips on how to offset those costs this season.
- Unplug your devices. Even when they’re not being used, they can still drain energy. In fact, about 10 percent of your electricity bill could be caused by this “vampire” power drainage.
- Upgrade your home by installing an electric heat pump or a natural gas water heater. The best part? You can receive a $500 tax credit for these energy-efficient upgrades. But hurry, you only have until the end of year to claim this great incentive.
- Set your thermostat to a lower temperature when you’re at work or sleeping. Each degree can save you 2 percent on your energy bills.
- Invest in energy-saving gadgets like an ON switch that alerts you to any lights you may have left on. The Hang On Outlet is a great way to avoid “vampire power” drainage without the danger of loose and unruly cords.
And if all that isn’t enough to change your energy habits, there’s a British company launching a new service that will allow people to compare their energy bills to other homes similar in size and type, while maintaining the confidentiality of the homeowner. The Energy Saving Toolkit was designed to foster better energy-use habits through a little neighborly comparison — sort of like an energy-saving version of ‘Keeping up with the Joneses.’