Do you like to save money? Well, you can save up to 30% on energy costs with these helpful tips!
Energy Efficiency – An infographic by the team at MrHandyman.com
Category: savings
Kitchen & Bath Remodels on a Budget
Want to know how to give your kitchen or bath an updated look without breaking the bank? Here’s how…
Paint Cabinets, Not Replace
With all of the products and techniques out there today, cabinets can look completely different just by painting them.
Painted Walls
A fresh coat of paint does wonders. If you want something more, why not try a painted design like stripes? You could even add some molding for even more depth.
Online Savings
A lot of times you can find great deals online. I recently saw a post on Craigslist where someone was remodeling their kitchen and selling their (barely used) cabinets CHEAP! You just never know!
Surplus Finds
Have you ever heard of the Habitat for Humanity stores? They sell the unused materials for a bargain. Check online for a store near you or any other discount store in your area.
Give Retro a Try
So many “vintage” things can be found at flea markets and antique stores. Why not re-purpose them into something with charm and function. The results can be amazing!
Do Most of the Work Yourself
You might get a little dirty but you can save a bundle. With all of the how-to videos online now, you can do virtually anything yourself now. Why not give it a try?
Hardware and Fixtures
It’s amazing what switching out the fixtures and hardware can do. Just changing out the hinges and handles on your cabinets can give your kitchen/bath a whole new look!
Piece by Piece
If you cannot afford to do it now, buy one piece at a time. Look for sales and discounts and buy then. Before you know it, you will have all of the things you need to do your room and the cost wont be as noticeable.
Redo What You Have
Have you looked to see whats under that linoleum? Maybe it’s hard wood. Counters in good shape? Why not try refinishing them? You could try tile or faux granite. Whatever is in good shape can be re-purposed into something wonderful with a little imagination and elbow grease.
Whatever it is you decide to do it will make a difference. Take notice of things you like online or at a friends house and think of ways to recreate it cheaply. You’ll be amazed at what you can do when you put your mind to it!
Save the environment AND some your money!
Heating and cooling are two of the most expensive and energy consuming things in your home. The U.S Energy Information Administration states that the average U.S. power bill will be $395 per month from June through August. That’s A LOT!
Next to heating/cooling are HDTVs and computers. It may not seem like they use much, but over time these things can add up. Here are some simple steps to help you save the environment AND your energy bill.
Cover those windows!
Cellular shades, or “honeycomb” shades are a great way to keep the heat in in the winter and out in the summer. They look great and can save you money!
Beware of power vampires!
Things like HDTV’s, computers and even some appliances run constantly. According to the Energy Star website, even standby mode enables appliances and computers to continue to use energy. Power Vampires account for nearly 100 billion kilowatt hours of energy consumption on a yearly basis across the nation. Can you imagine?? Why not try shutting down your pc or tv or unplugging things when not in use? It could save you money.
Turn down your water heater!
All day every day you pay to keep your water heated to a certain temperature. Lowering that temperature will save you money and help lower your carbon footprint. What’s a carbon footprint? Well that’s next.
Know your carbon footprint!
A carbon footprint is the measure of the environmental impact of a particular individual or organization’s lifestyle or operation, measured in units of carbon dioxide. Basically, the amount of energy your family uses to keep them comfortable. The Nature Conservancy has a free tool to check your carbon footprint. That tool allows you to see how many resources it requires for our to live your life. Be forewarned though, finding out just how much you use can be shocking but it’s important to know when addressing energy conservation.
The incentive for reducing energy consumption is monies saved. Saving $50 a month represents a $600 savings each year. Over the life of a home, those savings equal $6,000 at year 10, $12,000 at year 20 and $18,000 after 30 years of reducing energy consumption. Now we’re talkin!!
