Mommies Magazine

The Best Way To Lower Utility Bills

Posted on 14. Jun, 2009 by Angie Meza in Career & Money

If you are looking for a simple and economical way to lower utility bills due to high energy costs, the solution is simpler than you think. Just make your home more energy efficient by blocking any drafts that you might be experiencing through your windows or doors. An inexpensive draft blocker will solve your problem.

As a home ages and settles, gaps can appear around windows and doors. Gaps can also be found as a result of improper installation. Either way, the result is a draft or flow of air that enters the home. Common areas for these problems include attic, basement and garage windows and doors, any doorway that leads to the exterior or any windowsill.

With the high cost of home heating oil, gas and electricity, consumers are actively seeking low cost ways to conserve energy in order to achieve lower utility bills. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical family of four spends an estimated $1,900 a year on home utility bills. However, a large amount of that energy is wasted because the home is not energy efficient.

One way to lower utility bills is to evaluate your windows. While they offer an attractive view, they can also be the culprit of wasted energy. In fact, poorly insulated windows can increase your utility bills by 10% to 25% because air from inside seeps in and air from your home goes out the small openings.

Improvements to doorways can significantly lower utility bills. Small openings where the bottom of the door meets the threshold can create a costly airflow between the air inside your home and the outside air. Exterior entry doors should be checked for gaps and draft blockers added to stop the airflow.

Have you noticed that your heating system seems to stay on all the time in the winter and that your air conditioning system seems to be working overtime in the summer? Your equipment is trying to keep pace with the fluctuation in temperatures caused by drafts coming in and going out around windows and doors. If you take action, you can see your energy costs reduced by up to 25% per year.

The draft blocker, also known as draft stopper or door snake, is a very effective product. It is made from a very strong material such as polypropylene and has an insulating fill. The standard item measures about 3″ x 42″ but is flexible enough to fit anywhere. Most custom sized doors or windows can be treated with no adhesives required and little maintenance. Your cost outlay can be small but savings can be substantial.

In an effort to reduce our dependency on foreign oil and gas, the U.S. government is encouraging people to make energy efficient measures to their homes. Besides reducing our need for energy resources, consumers will instantly realize lower utility bills.