Trim Utility Costs This Summer With These Tips

This summer, as mother nature turns up the heat and temperatures rise, your utility bills can go up exponentially. Use these 5 tips to help save on your utility bills:

1. Install window film. For those that dislike drapes or blinds, window film is an interesting option. They block heat while still allowing you to be able to see out of the window. Installation is as easy as measure, cut, and adhere. 
2. Replace dirty air filters. Dirty air filters can cause your electric bill to go up. Your HVAC system works less efficiently and takes more energy to do it's job than it would with a clean filter. Monitor them and change regularly.
3. Rainwater collection. A good way to reduce water use is using rain barrels to collect rainwater. Then use the recycled rainwater to water your garden during the dry spells. 
4. Mulch it up. Slow down water evaporation in your garden with layers of mulch. The much enables water to remain on the ground longer for plant absorption and enables you to water less. 
5. Upgrade to a programmable thermostat. Use the programmmable thermostat to schedule the temperature of your home to help reduce costs. Setting the temperature to off, or a higher level while you are at work, then to cooling down on your commute home will cut down on energy use.