Saving on Air Conditioning Costs
The average monthly energy bill in Ohio is about $105, but of course that jumps at the peak of summer. So how do you keep those costs down without breaking a sweat?
The Department of Energy says most of the heat from the sun comes through windows.
- Get window screens or solar screens, for which you might be able to claim a tax credit, can block that heat before it gets into the house, especially in east and west facing windows.
- Operate fans upstairs and open the windows on the lower level. If you only have one story, close windows near the fan and open windows in rooms far from the fan. The purpose of that is to circulate air inside the house.
- Think about planting trees around your house or around your a/c unit. They'll help block the sun from heating your house through the windows, and shading your a/c unit can increase efficiency by up to 10%.
As for your thermostat, while this sounds crazy to me, the Department of Energy says you should keep it at 78 degrees while you are at home, higher when you leave the house. It could save you up to 10% on your bill.
Selling your unwanted stuff
Now everyone wanted to know how to get money for their unwanted stuff.
A lot of people used to donate to charity, but unless you itemize, you don't get a write-off anymore, so many people are looking for cash. And more and more retailers are offering money or a store credit for used goods.
Here is a listing of just some of the retailer’s, but there are many more you can find online:
- If you have things like electronics, video games, smart phones and smart watches, Best Buy and Game Stop will give you a gift card or cash when you bring them in. Staples and Amazon will do the same, but you can mail your stuff in. Amazon charges for shipping, Staples doesn't.
- For books, music, and magazines (including e-readers), there's Half Price Books. Bring your items into the store and you can get cash.
- If you have outdoor clothing and luggage, Patagonia will give you a credit if it's their brand, although you have to bring it into the stores.
Head to the Trade in Program section on each of the retailer’s sites to find out what they will accept, but know often you will not get top dollar. Still, if you were going to give your items away, something is better than nothing.
And shameless plug: I'm working on a story on how to turn your closet into cash. We compare a popular online site with a popular local consignment shop to see how fast things sell and how much money we get.
And that's One For The Money. To find out about getting good but cheap car insurance head to my Twitter page.