Utility bills can consume a very large portion of your paycheck. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could pay 25-50% less on these bills? There’s a number of ways you can. Don’t worry you won’t find any low flow toilets on this list! Find out how to stay cool this summer without burning a hole in your wallet.

• Use fluorescent bulbs. They’re more expensive than the regular old incandescent bulbs, but they last 10 times longer and can save you up to $60 in electricity over the lifetime of the bulb! Not a fan of fluorescent lighting? If you prefer the softer glow of incandescent bulbs, look for a fluorescent bulb that has a Kelvin temperature between 2,600 – 3,000.
• Plan your schedule. Get a smart thermostat to plan when your cooling is working. 
• Turn down the AC. For every degree you raise your home’s temperature, you save about 5% from your energy bill. An Energy Star programmable thermostat will adjust the temperature automatically while you’re asleep or away – which means one less thing on your to-do list.
• Adjust your washer and dryer. Use cold water to wash your clothes and save 50% of the energy you would otherwise use for hot water. Bonus: it’s better for your clothes, too. Want to take things a step further? Set your dryer on the moisture sensor, not the timer, and cut energy use by 15%.
• Insulate, insulate, insulate. Insulation isn’t just for keeping things warm – it also helps your home retain all that cool air you’re paying for. By simply putting a weather strip around the frame of your doors, you can save up to $30 per year in energy costs.
• Adjust your water heater. An optimal temperature for your water heater is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Come on, you don’t really need the water to be scalding, anyway.
• Fix your leaky faucet. Here’s a scary statistic: a leaky faucet can waste as much as 2,700 gallons of water in a year, not to mention the annoying noise when you’re trying to sleep. Get that leak fixed and rest easy – for several reasons.
• Fix your leaky toilet, too. There’s an easy test to tell if your toilet is leaking. Put a drop of food coloring in the tank. If the color shows up in the bowl, your toilet is leaking. A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.
• Be careful with landscaping. Drag yourself out of bed and water the plans in the early morning before the sun has a chance to burn off the moisture. And don’t over-water: if you step on the grass and the blades spring back up, turn the hose off for a day. They’ve got plenty of moisture.

F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning can help you stay efficient and lower your costs this summer, especially in Arlington, Fairfax and surrounding Northern Virginia areas. Contact us today at 703-690-0449 to schedule an appointment or visit our website for more information.