If you are like everyone else, you're likely looking to save money. Whether you need a little more for your children’s college funds, a well-earned vacation, holiday gifts, or even retirement, most people would rather cut back on certain expenses. The amount you spend on energy (including electricity, natural gas, fuel, water, etc.) is probably not helping your savings account.

These six tips are free and easy ways to reduce your energy costs. Making these few simple adjustments can help you reduce the amount you spend on energy and amp up your savings. Plus these free tips to reduce energy costs also help support a cleaner environment!

1. Turn off the Air Conditioning when you Leave

Keeping your home cool is a big energy expense. If you are not at home to enjoy it simply turn it up a few degrees while you leave for the day. To save on your air conditioning costs, turn off the air conditioning when you’re at work or not home or set your thermostat to 78 degrees. This temperature is optimal for air conditioner efficiency, therefore, you will spend less while keeping your home cool.

2. Turn off the Water

Most people leave the water running while they brush their teeth or shave. This not only wastes approximately 3 gallons of water but wastes money too. Instead, before brushing your teeth, fill a small cup with water, shut off the faucet and use the cup when you’re ready to rinse. When shaving, fill the sink with water and turn the faucet off until it’s time for your final rinse. Keeping the faucet off is a free way to cut back on energy and water usage.

3. Wash Large Loads

When washing the dishes or clothes, its best to fill the washer or dishwasher with the largest load possible. When these appliances run, even if they are in a small load setting, they often use just as much water and energy as a full load. According to ENERGY STAR, washing full loads can save you more than 3,400 gallons of water each year. Given the average family spends about $474 annually on water and sewage charges, this is an easy way to reduce that cost.

4. Cook Outside

Using the oven in your kitchen heats your home, resulting in a greater need for the air conditioning to stay on and at full blast. Cooking outside is a great alternative, so you can keep the heat out of your house and leave the thermostat at the most energy-efficient temperature. Definitely take advantage of the summer weather and use your grill.

5. Keep Windows up while Driving on the Highway

Although keeping your windows down instead of blasting the AC while driving around town can save gasoline, this isn’t the case when driving on highways. When driving at higher speeds on the highway, having the windows down will create a drag that decreases fuel economy.

6. Let it Air Dry

Whether it be your hair or clothes that need drying, let them air dry before going straight to the hairdryer or clothes dryer. A typical clothes dryer uses around 3,000 watts per hour. This means that letting even one load of your clothes air dry instead of using a dryer is equivalent to avoiding approximately 5 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions..

Looking For More Home Energy Saving Tips? Look Up the Professionals on myPBC.ca and ask them