How can I reduce my summer utility bills? With the heat we have been having here in Denver lately, that is an excellent question. Many people automatically think that utility bills are going to be much lower in the summer in Denver, but from what I have heard, that is not always the case. If you have A/C in your home, it isn't unheard of for your summer electric bill to double or even triple during the hottest months. So finding ways to cut down on energy spent and still making your house comfortable to live in are key. US News and World Report recently put out these 10 helpful hints to cut your costs and keep you cool. Hope they help.
In the kitchen: Baking a cake or casserole in the summer will force your air conditioner to go into overdrive. Plus, eating hot food will only make you want to turn the thermostat down. But you don't have to survive on cold pasta salads and gazpacho this summer. Instead of using your oven, consider an outdoor grill or toaster oven for small amounts of food.
If you're up for a challenge, try baking cookies on your caryes, your car. Nicole Weston of Baking Bites developed a method of baking chocolate cookies with the heat that collects inside cars on steamy days. She suggests parking in the sun, using a thermometer to help monitor the temperature, and protecting your dashboard by putting a barrier between it and the baking sheet. (It should be at least 95 degrees outside and the baking process takes around two and a half hours.
In the bathroom: If you don't want to spend money on a low-flow toilet, you can still make yours more efficient by dropping a soda bottle filled with sand or water into the back. It will use less water each time it flushes. Ivan Chan of carbonfund.org adds that small steps such as turning the water off while brushing your teeth or shaving can save a substantial amount of water (and money on your water bill) each year. He also recommends installing a water conserving showerhead.
Click here to read all ten ideas.
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