Utility Bills Through the Roof? Follow These Cost-Saving Tips

It's something that almost every home owner deals with at one time or another: sky-rocketing energy bills. If you're energy bills are getting out of control, it's time to do something about it. Here are cost-saving tips that are easy, and often economical, to follow:
1.Inspections
Many energy providers will inspect your home for energy drains at no cost to their customers. Find out if your electric or gas company will come out and look at your home's exterior and interior to look for energy leaks. If your energy company doesn't offer this service, consider hiring a professional inspector to perform an audit of your home.
2.Read the Guidelines

Did you know that most major appliances will come with power guidelines? These guidelines will tell you what size rooms and homes the appliances are rated for. If the appliance you are looking at doesn't display the information, you can easily find guidelines on the Internet. For example, if you are in the market for a new cooling system, finding one that is designed for the size of your home, instead of one designed for a home smaller or larger than what you own, can save you money on operating costs.
3.Get Cleaning
If your air conditioner has a filter, keep it clean. Likewise for your furnace or central air system. Clean filters help your units operate more efficiently, and this goes for small appliances as well. Keep the lint trap in your clothes dryer cleaned out, change the filter in your vacuum cleaner regularly, and maintain any other appliance filters regularly.
4.Install a Better Thermostat
Installing a programmable thermostat can help you save close to $200 a year on your heating and cooling costs. In the winter, set your thermostat to a lower temperature during the day and a warmer one at night. Conversely, in the summer, set your temperature higher during the day and lower at night. This will help you systems run more efficiently.
5.Insulation

Insulating your walls, attic and windows isn't only important during the winter, it's equally important in the summer. Cool air can seep out just like warm air, making your systems run harder than necessary. If your home is poorly insulated, consider adding a few layers in the attic or having insulation blown into your walls. Install weather stripping around your door and window frames to keep the air inside your home in and the air outside out.
6.Unplug Your Electronics
Phantom energy is a real phenomenon. Turning off your appliances when use is not enough. To truly save on energy, unplug any electronics and appliances that you aren't using. You obviously can't unplug your refrigerator, but you can keep your toaster, coffee maker and lamps unplugged when you aren't using them. While doing this won't save you thousands of dollars a year, it can save you a few dollars a month.
The internet has sites that offer you even more ways to save on your energy bills by allowing you to compare providers by state. You may not be tied to the utility companies you are currently using to supply your energy. Browse the net and see if there are companies that can save you money on your utility bills; switching may be easier than you think.