Sometimes, it can feel like you need to spend money to save money in your home. But that’s not always the case.
Here are six completely free ways you can save money and make your home more sustainable.
Clean out your dryer lint trap – It seems like a simple tip, but cleaning out your dryer’s lint trap after each use can help you save money. When a lint trap is full, your dryer needs to work harder to dry your clothes, which can also be a safety hazard. By cleaning out the lint, your machine can last longer, use less energy to dry your clothes and reduce the risk of fire.
Adjust or program your thermostat – By simply lowering the temperature of your thermostat while you sleep, you can reduce your energy bill by 5-15 percent during winter months. This is because your home will use less energy to heat at a lower temperature.
Load your dishwasher fully– Only running your dishwasher when it is full will help you maximize the cleaning power created from your home’s appliance. By making this a habit, you will help save both energy and water to clean your dishes which means more money in your pocket!
Let dishes air-dry – Another easy way to save some money is by letting your dishes air-dry. This will help your dishwasher cut down on energy and can prevent damage to your dishes from excessive heat. To do this, turn off the “heat dry” setting before running the dishwasher.
Wash your clothes in cold water – Most of your clothes don’t actually need warm water to be cleaned. Hot water can also fade, shrink and wrinkle your clothes. By not utilizing the hot water feature on your machine, you can reduce your energy costs with every load.
Adjust your water heater – Hot water heaters have factory settings that are higher than what you actually need. Many newer gas and electric models have an adjustable thermostat behind a panel to change the temperature of your water. Make sure to check your water heater’s manual for temperature settings specific to your model. By setting your water heater to 120 °F, your water heating costs could drop by five percent annually, and you likely won’t even notice a difference in the temperature!
