A lot of us are trying to save money—and cutting monthly expenses to reduce energy costs at home is a great way to do that. The average U.S person spends a couple thousands of dollars a year on gas, electric, and water bills, but there are ways to cut down home utility costs.
Small upgrades to your heating, cooling, and water usage can make your home more energy-efficient.
Upgrade Your Lighting
Using energy-efficient lightbulbs is an easy way to pinch pennies around the house. Incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs use more energy than LED lights. Making the switch from older bulbs to LED lighting will give you better lighting while expending less energy.
Adjust Your Thermostat
Adjusting your thermostat even by a few degrees can help cut costs. Try to limit the use of your air conditioner, and when you’re not home it’s a good idea to set the thermostat higher in the summer and lower in the winter. But don’t turn your HVAC off and on to save money. This will make it work harder and use more energy.
Make sure your thermostat is regulating your heating and cooling efficiency. If you hear it running constantly, it could have a problem.
Monitor Water Usage
Installing flow meters to monitor your home’s water usage might seem counterintuitive to saving money. However, over the years, you’ll earn your investment back along with the reduced costs in your monthly water bill. Flow meters can spot leaky pipes and help to uncover problematic leakage that would have gone undetected otherwise. Not only will you save money in utility costs, but you’ll also prevent costly water damage to your home by catching leaks early.
There are so many ways to cut down home utility costs, from washing larger loads of clothing, unplugging appliances when you’re not using them, and taking colder showers. Implementing simple hacks along with investing in items that monitor or cut down on energy use will help you reduce household bills.
Older urban buildings carry a unique character, from ornate facades to intricate interior details. These qualities create both charm and responsibility for residents, property managers, and city planners.
As communities gather this Sunday, December 7th, to remember, we look back at a single morning that reshaped a nation, examine the causes and consequences of the attack, and reflect on how Hawai‘i and the world carried forward the work of healing and reconciliation.
A Morning That Changed the World
On a clear morning that remains etched into the pages of history, aircraft appeared over Pearl Harbor and the United States Pacific Fleet was struck in a surprise assault. In fewer than two hours, battleships burned, aircraft were destroyed on the ground, and more than 2,400 American service members and civilians lost their lives. The attack thrust the United States into the global conflict of World War II and set in motion a series of events that would transform both the Pacific and the world.
Hitting the open road brings a sense of freedom, but it also brings the challenge of packing. You likely want to bring everything you need without compromising safety or comfort inside the vehicle. However, improperly secured loads can lead to lost luggage and cause serious safety hazards for other drivers on the road.
You’ve just become a mom, and suddenly, everything feels different. Your body, your schedule, your entire identity—it’s all been turned upside down. One minute you’re a person with hobbies, friends, and a life outside of caregiving. The next, you’re knee-deep in diapers, sleep deprivation, and endless feeds. You look in the mirror and wonder: Who even am I anymore?
Trucks and SUVs aren’t designed just for driving on paved roads. With the surrounding natural beauty of the Carolinas, you want to explore more of what the states have to offer.
