by Kelly Szymanski

Created on: November 14, 2009   Last Updated: April 22, 2010

I'm sure it's not news to anyone that, economically speaking, times are tough all over. We are all looking for ways to save more money. Many of us have already cut out unnecessary expenditures but  find that we still need to make deeper cuts. One way that we can do that is by reducing our monthly costs for necessary expenses, like water and electricity.

Saving Money on Water

Wash dishes by hand instead of using the dishwasher. If you must use the dishwasher, only run it when it is full. Check for and repair leaky faucets, pipes and toilets. Take showers instead of baths. Showering uses less water than bathing. Shortening your shower by 2 minutes each day can save as much as 150 gallons every month.

 Fill a 2 liter plastic bottle with water and place it in your toilet tank. It will displace the water in the tank, causing you to use less with each flush. Insulate your pipes. Your hot water will stay hotter so you won't have to let it run while it heats up. Not only will you save water, you'll save the energy required to heat it.

The next time you need to replace your washing machine, buy a front loader. Front loading machines use half as much water as top loading machines. When doing laundry, adjust the water level in the machine to match the size of each load.

When you clean out your fish tank or refresh Fido's water, don't dump the old, dirty water down the sink. Use it to water the plants. Be sure that when you are watering your lawn or garden that you adjust the sprinkler so it is not watering the sidewalk or driveway, too.

Saving Money on Electricity

Keep your refrigerator and freezer full. It will stay colder and not have to run as much. Try filling 2 liter plastic jugs with water and freezing them to take up space and help the refrigerator and freezer stay colder.

Switch to fluorescent bulbs. They use 4 times less energy and last about 8 times longer. Unplug anything not in use. Even when they are not in use appliances still consume energy and can account for as much as 1/5 of your homes energy consumption.

Make use of fresh air and sunshine to dry clothes whenever possible. Hang towels to dry after each use and re-use them 2 or 3 times before washing. Insulate your hot water heater with a hot water jacket or hot water blanket to help the water in the tank stay hotter. While you are there, reduce the thermostat. A 10 degree reduction in the water temperature can result in a 3-5% decrease in energy costs.

A few relatively minor adjustments in your routine, everyday activities can make a noticeable difference in your monthly utility costs. Why not take the time to try some and see for yourself.

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