With energy prices continuing to rise, many homeowners are looking for more ways to cut their expenses and make their home more 'green'. For Las Vegas residents, one of the biggest bills in the summer time is your electric bill. With temperatures still over 100 degrees, your air conditioner is running almost non-stop, especially if you live in an older home. That combined with your water bill can be substantial about five months every year. There are lots of things you can do to cut your utility bills and save money. Some are low or no cost, others will require a substantial investment. You’ve probably read articles or saw something on television listing things you can do to save on your utilities. Here are some things that you may not have heard about yet:

1. Solar screens: This is one of the cheapest ways to reduce your electric bills during the summer, especially if you own an older home. The sun’s rays not only heat up your home, but fade fabrics and carpet as well. The screens will block out about 85% of the sun’s rays, helping to cool your house down by several degrees, which translates into lower a/c bills. These screens still let in plenty of natural light, but block the UV rays. If you are handy with tools, you can make and install these screens yourself for a few hundred dollars or so, depending on how many windows you have to cover. There are also several companies in Las Vegas that will install these screens or you. Feel free to contact me for a referral at 702-493-8033.
2. Window Tinting: Basically the same concept as solar screens, tinting your windows can reduce the amount of UV rays that enter your home, causing heat and wear and tear on your furnishing.
3. Reflecting Roof Coating: Do you have a concrete roof like Spanish Tile or even a galvanized roof, you can apply this thin reflective coating over your current roof to reduce your power bills. Sound a little too good to be true? The roof at the Nevada Power service center in Henderson saved an average of 18% in their power usage in a 24 hour period and 37% in their peak usage time after having their roof done. The same principle applies to the walls of your home. There is a wall coating product that creates a radiant heat barrier all year round, helping to keep the heat out in the summer and in during the winter. You can apply it like paint over your home. The coating is also a fire retardent and will make your outside paint last longer. A study conducted by the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) in conjunction with Nevada Power, established that the Cerama-Tech coating reduced energy bills by upwards of 30% for cooling.

There are plenty of low cost things you can do. Proper maintenance on your air conditioner, including replacing your filters on a monthly basis, can trim your electric bill. Here are some other blog posts and articles from the web about reducing your utility bills. Will energy efficiency effect home buying? Vote here.

• Five ways to cut your power bill
• Money saving tips for around the house
• Five ways to cut your water bill
• Energy saving tips to save more money
• Greening your home can save money