Use Less and Save More on Utility Costs
Eight tips for cutting utility costs

If you’re looking for ways to stay within the household budget this year, reducing energy consumption in your home is a great place to start. From getting the most from water use to conserving power all around the house, these simple tips will help you make the most of your dollars.

Install a low-flow faucet aerator. There won’t be a noticeable dishwashing-power difference, and you’ll save water every time you turn on the tap. It’s an easy way to do a lot without even thinking about it.

Fix the faucet. Even small, slow drips can waste up to 30 gallons of water a day, which sends money down the drain, too. Get any leaky fixtures repaired and make sure to keep your faucets, toilets, appliances, showers, and tubs in good working order all-year-round.

Keep utensils and cookware to a minimum. With fewer dishes to wash, you’ll save water, energy, and time. For example, wipe clean and reuse the knife to chop different veggies. Serve food in the pots you cooked them in rather than using separate serving bowls, and turn the tap on only when you have more than one item to rinse. If you’re worried about keeping the suds alive with this water-saving approach, Dawn has the perfect dish liquid to keep it going. Just one pump of Dawn Direct Foam lasts an entire sink full of dishes,** and after you apply the dish liquid to your sponge, simply squeeze it once to reactivate the foam. You won’t even have to fill the sink with water.

Collect cold water. Does it take a minute or two for water to get hot enough for dishwashing? Don’t let the cold water just drain away. Fill a pot or other container, and save it for future use, like for cooking or watering plants.

Install energy-saving light bulbs. Whether they are lower wattage or energy efficient fluorescent bulbs, these little points of light can add up to big energy and cost savings. Compact fluorescents* can use up to 75% less electricity and can last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Trap heat. Gas and heating bills can skyrocket in winter. Before the big chill sets in, get your furnace in tip-top shape with a yearly tune-up, and make sure you replace or clean furnace filters once a month to keep it running efficiently.

Cold cash. The summer can heat up electric bills, too. Save a few dollars by lowering your water heater temperature gauge just a few degrees or try doing laundry in cold water. A detergent specifically-formulated for coldwater clean, like Tide® Coldwater, will help you get clean clothes and a lower energy bill.

Electric-less clean. Vacuums suck up dirt on your floors but they suck up a lot of energy, too. For a clean better than a broom or dustpan, try Swiffer^® Sweeper. It doesn’t require any wasteful bags and it uses less electricity than a vacuum.

* Compact fluorescent bulbs should be handled carefully. Please refer to the Environmental Protection Agency website for helpful tips and guidelines for safely installing and disposing of these bulbs.

** Based on an average load of dishes.