Month: October 2016

Whether you own or rent your property, utility bills are unavoidable. These bills usually include charges for electricity, gas, water, sewer, etc. While some renters get to have their utilities “included,” this is because the monthly rental fee is higher. In 2010, Americans spent almost 5% of their income on utilities, with the average monthly utility spending hitting $197.00.

For many people, these numbers tend to decrease and fluctuate, depending on the season, the tenants, what kind of sewer system they have, etc. While some get away with spending pennies for their utilities, others get hit hard. If you’re trying to cut back on your utility bills, there are some ways to lower the charges. Here are 7 creative ways to save on utility bills

1. Weather Stripping

If you’ve noticed cold drafts in certain parts of your home, it’s a good idea to pay attention to them and find out where they’re coming from. These little drafts and small areas for air to escape and come in will do a number to your utility bills; sadly, this is a quick fix that many people don’t bother with.

If you’re not sure how to weather strip, fear not. The process is very easy and inexpensive, which means you can weather strip to your heart’s content.

2. Real-Time Adjustments with Security Systems

Gone are the days of forgetting to turn down the heat or leaving a light on for too long. If you need an easier way to manage your home, some of the best alarm monitoring systems are equipped with controllers to give you more access to your home from the kitchen or across the world.

Spending too much on your heating bill? Use your iPad or phone to turn down the temperature once you’re at work. Did someone leave their bedroom light on? Turn it off at the touch of a button. Smart security systems are now giving us the opportunity to not only protect our homes but to save on bills as well. This option is great for providing peace of mind and a little extra cash at the end of the month.

3. Low-Flow Shower Heads

When you are the owner of any kind of business or establishment, your main priority is always going to be protecting the people and possessions within it; however, choosing security for your business is not quite the same process as choosing security for your home. Generally speaking, there will be employees at your office during the day, and it will likely remain unoccupied after work hours.

They do remain similar in one aspect, though: Just like homeowners, no business owner wants to hear that they’ve been broken into or that someone has been hurt on their premises, so it’s important to invest in security tactics that will ensure the safety of everyone and everything.

If you’re trying to decide on a security system, it won’t be a one and done task. There are quite a few options available to you, and you’ll want to take into account quite a few things before installing any model you come across. To help you make the best decision for your property, follow along with these considerations when choosing a commercial wireless entry system.

Size of the Building

This aspect is really quite simple: The bigger your commercial space, the more protection you’re going to need. That includes factors like the size of the floor plan, the number of floors, access to outside, etc. Smaller buildings will have fewer entries and spaces to worry about, but the more space you have, the greater the chance for forced entry, unforeseen dangers, etc.

If you have a spacious building, you might want to consider investing in a high-level intrusion detection system, especially if you have various entryways into the building. Intrusion detection systems can recognize unwanted intrusions with the fastest response time based on a unique audio detection system.

Similarly, a larger building with more doorways may need to invest in multiple video surveillance cameras in order to cover all of the angles, parking lots, and alleyways.

When it comes to your home, there are likely some very important people living within it, or, at least, some very prized possessions. Protecting our homes is a very important part of being a homeowner, and it’s a great idea to look into your options for protection if you haven’t done so already.

For many people, a home security system is the best defense against burglars, damage, and loss. However, not everyone is sure that this is the best way to go. Likely, homeowners have considered other options, such as guard dogs, fake alarm signs, and motion-sensor lights. While all of these options may have some advantages, home security systems are, without a doubt, the best tool for protection.

There are a few common misconceptions about home security that have people undecided about investing in one. If you want to learn more, consider these misconceptions and what’s really going on.

They’re Too Expensive

Anything worth having is likely going to cost you a little bit at the beginning. It’s no surprise that you will have a larger bill for the installation of your security system, and that you will be expected to pay monthly bills in order to keep it in service.

If you’re wondering how much Americans spend on security systems, the answer was roughly $20 billion in 2011. For one homeowner, a start-up for their system will cost anywhere from $600-$1200, but some companies may offer sales or promotions for less. After that, monthly bills can be expected to sit between $15-$100, with the average price sitting around $30.

At the end of the day, paying $30 per month will cost you less than it does to order fancy coffees each morning. Even though the initial costs will be more expensive, there are a lot of reliable, experienced security system companies which can offer you an individualized package of features that suit your unique needs. Even if you’re able to avoid a theft or fire one time, it’s likely that the cost of your system will be worth every penny.