Mark Hamade

When you own a home, it is a good idea to work toward operating your home in the most cost efficient way.  You may be someone who is also interested in conserving energy.  The good news is these two goals can go hand in hand.

Cost Efficiency

One of the first things that you should do when looking at your ability to make your home more cost efficient is to know just what you are currently paying.

By taking the time to determine what you are currently spending on energy, you can better determine in which areas you have the potential to save. In each area of the country, there are different rates, different co-ops and a wide range of different types of fuel to take into consideration. It is up to you to find out what you are paying based on your monthly bill payments. Take a look at those payments and ask yourself two things:

• What is the amount that you pay per unit of that fuel type?

•What is the amount of that fuel type that you use per month in units?

Your goal, then, is to notice how you can change these.

Can You Lower The Cost Per Unit?

The first way to determine if you can lower costs with your fuel usage is to determine if you have the most cost effective provider of that fuel.

In many areas of the country, there are several providers of each type of fuel that you need. For example, you may have a choice in which gas company you use or which electric company that you use. If that is the case, then you should determine which is capable of providing you with the lowest rate per unit of fuel used.

Find out what are your options for energy providers. Then, give each provider a call and ask them if they do, in fact, provide to homes in your area. If so, then ask what their rates per unit are, as well as any transfer or account set-up fees that they may have. Do this for all of the providers in your area until you find the most affordable choice.

By comparing providers, you can instantly save money without having to worry about investing anything but a little of your time.

Can You Lower The Number of Units?

The next step in this process is to determine if you can lower the number of units that you use of your fuel type. Now, the most simplistic of ways to do this is through simply turning off more power or fuel to your home.

One thing that people do not realize is just how much it matters that you turn off and unplug the appliances and other tools for your home.

Start by investing a few minutes right now. Get up and walk from room to room in your home. Turn off any light, any fan, any appliance that is on. Don’t forget to unplug those units that leave LED lights on even when they are turned off. These units can save you a great deal of money. Go ahead; see how much you can already save just by doing this.

By asking yourself these questions and following these steps, you will be on your way to increasing the energy efficiency of your home while also saving money.