Home & Utilities
Why Your Electric Bill Spikes in Summer (and Five Fixes That Cost Under $50)
Cooling is two thirds of a July bill in most of the country. Most of the waste is not the air conditioner itself.
Is a Smart Thermostat Worth It? What Ours Saved in a Full Year
Twelve months of bills, one $180 thermostat, and an honest answer that depends on how you used the old one.
How to Read Your Utility Bill Line by Line
Delivery charges, supply charges and a dozen fees. Once you know what each line means, you know which ones you can actually change.
Switching Internet Providers: A Checklist Before You Call
The promotional price is the least important number on the page. Here is what to check and what to ask.
The Laundry Habits Quietly Adding $200 a Year to Your Bills
Hot water, half loads and a dryer that runs an extra twenty minutes. None of it feels expensive until you add it up.
Water Heater Settings: The One Dial Most Households Never Touch
Factory default is 140 degrees. Most homes are fine at 120, and the difference shows up on every bill.
Draft-Proofing an Older House on a Weekend Budget
A candle, a roll of weatherstrip and an afternoon. The oldest energy-saving trick still pays back fastest.