Here are a couple of things I have learned as well owning a home and how to save a bit of money. I like to keep my house between 16 to 17 degress during the winter months and only when it really gets cold do I go up to 18 degrees. Now living in a new area and in the southwest there isn't much tree coverage to block the wind so our house we get the full blast. The little things I have looked at to make my home more energy efficient is really something that could cost only dollars but save hundreds in the long run.
Dollarstore savings. So from here you have a couple of things you could purchase. One being a door runner that can block a bit of the draft comming in from the gap in the bottom of the door to the threshold. The item usually goes for a buck a door. Also for around the same you can get insulation foam tape that goes around the perimetre of the door to fill in the gaps as well.
Also you may not think of it but the door to your garage if you have one should get the same treatment as well. Since most garages are not heated there is still a bit of a draft. As for your heating vents check which areas you spend the least amount of time in and close off those. In newer homes you do have a blocker in the pipework near a vent that you can move to have the air bouce back and go to other vents. For water heating you can look at the radiators and lower the amount of water preassure going thru.
An lastly you can get a small pot of ready mix plaster (I like the ones that change colour after they dry) and fill in the cracks in the wall and corners and seems. In alot of cases a small crack can let in alot of draft.
Hope these tips help and please remember to click on some of the ad links to help sponsor this site.
Showing posts with label Bills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bills. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Checking your bills regularly
After buying my first home last year I have finally started to get use to the idea of paying the utility bills. In paying these bills I have come to a few realizations. Since we are always looking at ways to save money or only making sure you are paying for what you get it is important to read your bills carefully and compare their billing numbers to actual usage. Here are some things to look out for.
Your Gas bill (Enbridge for most)
It is always good to check your bill to see if they are estimating numbers or using actual. In many cases they are only going to try to read your meters about 3 to 4 times a year. In the imbetween they are estimating your numbers based on the previous season average usage for the area. Note a family of 2 will use less gas then a family of 4 living in the same type of dwelling. Your meter is always located outside the house. With Enbridge they allow residences to enter the meter reading online or by phone. Best to always do a check of your bill right when you get it and call in the diference right away and speak with a representative to make sure the change is made. In my case they had estimated my usage to be about 500 cubic meters more than what I had actually used for the first 7 months of living in my house. You can image how much extra someone is paying.
Your Water Bill
The meter is always located inside the house usually in the basement. For the city of Ottawa case you have to call in to give your meter reading after you receive your bill. They will adjust it and send you a new one with 1 to 2 business days.
Your Electricity Bill
The meter is located outside and in many cases we have the digital meters which are pretty accurate but still always worth a second look.
Hope these tips help and you all can save some money or reduce your next utility bill. Also remember to click on a couple of adds to help sponsor this site.
Your Gas bill (Enbridge for most)
It is always good to check your bill to see if they are estimating numbers or using actual. In many cases they are only going to try to read your meters about 3 to 4 times a year. In the imbetween they are estimating your numbers based on the previous season average usage for the area. Note a family of 2 will use less gas then a family of 4 living in the same type of dwelling. Your meter is always located outside the house. With Enbridge they allow residences to enter the meter reading online or by phone. Best to always do a check of your bill right when you get it and call in the diference right away and speak with a representative to make sure the change is made. In my case they had estimated my usage to be about 500 cubic meters more than what I had actually used for the first 7 months of living in my house. You can image how much extra someone is paying.
Your Water Bill
The meter is always located inside the house usually in the basement. For the city of Ottawa case you have to call in to give your meter reading after you receive your bill. They will adjust it and send you a new one with 1 to 2 business days.
Your Electricity Bill
The meter is located outside and in many cases we have the digital meters which are pretty accurate but still always worth a second look.
Hope these tips help and you all can save some money or reduce your next utility bill. Also remember to click on a couple of adds to help sponsor this site.
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