Utility costs can fluctuate greatly throughout
the year, and monthly bills can climb well into the hundreds of dollars during
high-usage seasons. Even when weather extremes aren't taxing your home's heating
and cooling systems, various appliances used in your home continue to drive up
costs. Depending on the amenities, utility bills could skyrocket due to outdoor
consumption of water, electric and gas. There are several things you can do to
cut down on backyard usage:
Sprinklers Sprinkler
systems are easily misused. According to Hribar.com, most homeowners over-water
their lawns, when such treatments are only needed every four to five days.
Slowing down the rate of your watering and canceling scheduled watering during
rainstorms can cut down on watering costs considerably. Water at night to reduce water lost to heat
evaporation. Make adjustments to your sprinkler heads so they only water your
lawn and not your sidewalks, the side of your house, or your neighbor's yard.
Using a sprinkler timer is another great way to cut your water bill without the
hassle of having to manually adjust watering times.
Let your lawn grow An
alternative to improving your watering tactics is to reduce your lawn's need
for water. While many lawns still need occasional watering, help your grass
weather hot, blistering summers by raising the blade on your mower. Allow the lawn
to stand at least three inches tall after its cut. The extra length will
improve the root system and provide additional shade to the grass and the soil,
reducing water loss and improving water conservation. Because longer lawns
require less cutting, save on gas.
Hot tubs and pools Pools
and hot tubs need to be properly insulated with effective covers to minimize
heat loss, which can be substantial. Hot tub owners should make sure they have
a properly
sized hot tub cover.
Air conditioning condensers The metal box that serves as your air conditioning
system's condenser unit is far from the most beautiful feature in your
backyard, but covering it can be a costly mistake. Shrubbery, lawn furniture
and permanent fixtures such as decks can restrict airflow, increasing the workload
on the unit. Improving airflow will let the condenser
unit properly dispense of its hot air and keep the unit clean, allowing efficient
cooling and lower electricity costs.
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