In addition to great discounts available to Angie’s List members, we’ve also compiled a wealth of money-saving tips.
Landscaping
- Lumber for deck and fencing projects is usually cheaper in the winter.
- Buy plants late in the season.
- Consider starting perennials from seed.
- Buy bare-root stock for shrubs or bushes.
- Buy wholesale through your landscaper and look for better prices online and in catalogs.
- Buy in bulk and ask neighbors and friends to share the costs on plants, mulch and other items.
Tree service
- Winter is a great time to have your trees trimmed. You might also save a little money by calling before the spring rush.
HVAC
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees – it will be more energy-efficient and still produce enough hot water for daily needs.
- If your furnace is older than 10 years, it’s likely only 60-percent to 70-percent-efficient – meaning you lose about 45 cents of every dollar you pay to heat your home. Most new furnaces are more than 80-percent-efficient.
- Programmable thermostats cost $100 to $150, and allow you to automate your room temperature when you’re home and away.
- Save 10 percent or more on your energy bill by sealing air leaks around windows and doors. An easy test is to hold a lit stick of incense around windows and doors; drafts will cause the smoke to drift with the current.
- When you turn your AC on, don’t set it cooler than normal, just to speed up the relief. Your home won’t cool down any faster, and you’ll over-cool and waste energy
Pest control
- May, June and July are the busiest months. Save money - and time - by hiring outside of this peak season.
Movers
- Summer is peak season for movers so try to move during the off months. If that’s not possible, schedule your move for mid-week instead of the weekend.
Cars
- Regular maintenance such as tune-ups, oil changes and tire rotations go a long way toward preventing breakdowns before they happen.
- Routine maintenance will not only boost your vehicle’s reliability and resale value but also save fuel.