The following post is sponsored by ChooseEnergy.com and Bloggy Moms.
All opinions expressed are my own.
It’s the season of savings and everyone is surfing the internet to find the hottest deals. I bet you never thought you could save big by shopping for your energy provider!
I am the ultimate bargain shopper. I’m always looking for a good deal, but I never knew I could find good deals on energy! Now that cold weather is upon us, it’s definitely a great time to save a little money on energy.
If you live in Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania or Texas, you might be able to save some money on your energy bill by visiting ChooseEnergy.com.
Just head over to ChooseEnergy.com, type in your zip code and find an energy solution that fits your budget from the best suppliers out there – you can save up to 25 percent just by switching your energy provider. Best of all, they will make the switch for you in a matter of minutes.
It takes less than 10 minutes to find solutions that fit your needs – so fit ChooseEnergy.com into your shopping this year.
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It has been SO COLD the past couple weeks here in Utah. We went from nice, mild fall weather to FREEZING, harsh winter weather in a matter of a few days. This past week the temperature has dipped down into the single digits and teens a lot.
I just can’t seem to get warm and I don’t like it!
Because I’m a self declared “cold wuss,” I’m a big fan of cozy socks, car seat warmers, fireplaces and nice warm houses!
I’m not a big fan of huge energy bills, however. I’m always looking for ways to save a little money, but I don’t want to live in a cold house just to save a few extra bucks. Soooo, here are some great ways you can save on energy this winter and still stay warm!…
Easy Ways to Save on Energy!
1. Change your Light Bulbs! According to Energy.gov, you could save about $50 a year by switching traditional light bulbs in your home to new energy efficient versions like fluorescent or LED bulbs. These bulbs use 75-80% less energy (crazy!) and you won’t have to change light bulbs as often, which is a huge plus! Oh, and remember to TURN OFF the lights when you’re not using them too. 🙂
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat. I LOVE programmable thermostats! Not only can they save you a bunch of money (as much as 10% a year), but they also make life simpler. You can program the thermostat to lower the temperature when you’re away from home or at nighttime when you’re sleeping. I also love to program the thermostat to turn up the heat shortly before I get out of bed. I hate climbing out of a nice warm bed into a cold house. Yuck.
3. Make your House more Efficient. There are a lot of things you can do to make your home more energy efficient. You can seal cracks and gaps where air can get out, increase your insulation and make your windows more efficient by replacing single-pane windows with double-pane Low-E windows. However, if you can’t afford to replace your windows, there are still things you can do to improve your existing ones. Kev’s parents used to tape clear plastic film on the inside of each window to reduce drafts. It seemed to help a lot. You can also keep your curtains or shutters closed if it’s particularly cold outside.
4. Unplug it! Even when an appliance or electronic device is turned off, it can still use (and waste) energy if it’s plugged in. You can save energy by unplugging appliances when not in use (cell phone chargers, toasters, blenders, etc.) or by using a power strip to power (and un-power) several things at once (TV, DVD, Stereo, Gaming devices, etc.)
5. Use more Energy Efficient Appliances. If you’re shopping for a new appliance (washer, dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, etc.) always look for the “Energy Star” label. Energy Star appliances use 10-50% less energy and water than other appliances, which can save you a lot of money over the years!
6. Take Care of your Furnace. You should change the air filter on your furnace at least every three months. You should also have your furnace serviced every year. This will help the furnace run better and more efficiently, saving you money in the long run.
When the house is a little chilly, one of my favorite ways to save on energy is to put on a soft jacket, hoodie or warm, cozy jammies (my fav!) and snuggle up in a big blanket with some of my favorite people…
This warms me up (and sometimes makes me too hot!) in a hurry. I try to first add clothing or use blankets before turning up the heater. It usually seems to warm me up and I end up not raising the thermostat.
When I’m a little chilly, I also like to warm up from the INSIDE, with a nice cup of hot chocolate. I especially like to make Protein Hot Chocolate and enjoy it by the fireplace. Love it.
I’ve been enjoying Protein Hot Chocolate so much this past week….it may just be a daily thing for me all winter long. 😉
I hope each of you can stay warm this winter and save a little money in the process! xoxo
Davida @The Healthy Maven says
Great post! My bf works in sustainable energy so I hear about this all the time 😉
Melanie says
That’s cool that your boyfriend works in sustainable energy…I’m sure he knows of a LOT of great ways to save energy. Love it.
The Vegan 8 says
These are great tips! We have an awesome thermostat… The brand new one that is round and works by memory of selections you’ve made so it automatically adjusts without you hardly having to touch it. It’s super awesome. You don’t have to setup programs on certain days at all ….it just uses it’s memory. Anyways, my hubby is a real bargain shopper too and is always switching providers to save a buck anywhere he can! I’ll have him check out this link! I’m also very hard core about the lights too!!
Melanie says
I haven’t heard of that thermostat, but it sounds AMAZING!! I think I might need to get one now. 😉