| Saving money is easiest when you don't spend it in | | | | rainbarrels from the downspouts of your house. A |
| the first place. There are many things you can do | | | | good 15 minute downpour can fill two 50 gallon |
| around the house that will help you conserve energy | | | | rainbarrels and you have free water to use outside |
| and lower your utility bills that cost little to nothing to | | | | the house. You can use the water by filling a |
| implement. The long term potential savings are HUGE! | | | | watering can for plants, attaching a regular garden |
| Here are some easy ideas that will save you money. | | | | hose, or soaker hose (which has small holes in it and |
| - If your water pipes are accessible in your | | | | you lay it in the garden beds.) |
| basement, insulate them. Most home improvement | | | | - If you think your water bill is too high, ask your |
| stores sell foam sleeves that easily slide over the | | | | local water company to perform a status check of |
| pipes for less than $3 per eight foot sleeve. At the | | | | your home. They can't tell you where your leak is |
| very least, insulate the exposed pipes that are | | | | but they can tell you if you have one. |
| attached to your hot water tank. This will make your | | | | - Maintain your appliances so they operate at peak |
| hot water tank use less energy, saving you money | | | | efficiency. Pull your refrigerator out once a year and |
| over time. | | | | clean the coils on the back and under the front of it |
| - Do you have a toilet that runs water occasionally | | | | to keep it operating as good as new. Be sure to |
| when no one is using it? You can pick up a toilet | | | | clean the lint trap of your dryer with a lint brush to |
| repair kit for less than $20 and fix the leak easily, | | | | keep it working efficiently every six months. When |
| reducing your water bill. It's not difficult and if you | | | | your appliances are well maintained they use less |
| can use a screwdriver and pliers you can do it | | | | energy and cost less to run, saving you money. If |
| yourself. We saved approximately $6 - $7 a month | | | | your appliances are ten years old or older you should |
| off our water bill by repairing a running toilet in our | | | | upgrade, if possible. Even a well maintained older |
| basement. | | | | appliance will use two to three times as much energy |
| - To water your garden and yard collect rainfall in | | | | as brand new high energy efficient appliance. |