Living on One Income

Another area in which a family like ours get the most of savings is by being aware of the extra expenses that come from electricity consumption. A few smart changes can save a lot. So, what are we doing right?

LIGHTS
- maximize natural light by using thin curtains in our living room and dining area.
- replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights.
- use low-watt bulbs.

CLOTHES
- iron clothes in bulk, and during the cooler hours of the day.
- on sunny days, let clothes dry naturally.

COOKING
- match the size of pots and pans to the size of the burner, and cover food that's boiling or
simmering to cook the food with trapped heat.

AIRCONDITIONER
- a professional aircon maintenance expert should check the unit at least once a year.
- clean the filter and condenser at least once a year, or once every six months.
- put blinds on the windows to deflect heat.

REFRIGERATOR
- defrost before the ice builds to 1/4 inches.
- check its parts every six months, clean condenser oils twice a year with a vacuum or
broom, inspect gaskets; they should be tightly sealed and not show signs of wear.