No one wants to be shocked by a staggering electric bill balance. However, utility rates are increasing almost every year, and the average family’s electricity use has increased 13-fold since 1950! Therefore, it shouldn’t be a surprise that residential electric bills are increasing.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to gain control of your electric bill.
Keep reading to learn how to reduce utility bills without making drastic or uncomfortable changes to your daily lifestyle.
Banish Phantom Energy Draws
Some devices that stay plugged in all the time continue to use electricity even when they aren’t in use. Computer chargers are one of the most common culprits of phantom energy use. Gaming consoles, cable boxes, and digital video recorder (DVR) devices are among the worst power vampires. Unplugging unnecessary cords will help reduce your bill.
Turn Off Ceiling Fans and Lights in Empty Rooms
Every room needs sufficient lighting for reading, watching TV, or just making sure you don’t trip over the ottoman. But overusing overhead lighting can get expensive. Try using lamps to provide direct light right where you need it. And always remember to turn off the lights when you leave a room.
Running a ceiling fan will help cool a room and prevent the need to turn on the air conditioning, which is an energy saver. But remember to turn off ceiling fans in rooms that are not being used. Otherwise, you’re just wasting electricity.
Switch to Efficient LED Light Bulbs
Making the switch to LED light bulbs is a smart decision that will save you considerable money in the long run. LED bulbs use up to 80% less energy than incandescent light bulbs and last up to 25 times longer.
Check Your Home’s Insulation
A house that is not properly insulated wastes energy by making the furnace and the air conditioner work harder than they should. Fixing drafty windows and doors will also bring down the cost of your electric (and/or gas) bill. As with the energy-efficient light bulbs, this investment will pay off big in the long run.
Upgrade to Energy Star Appliances
Many older appliances aren’t very efficient, which could be causing your monthly electric bill to be higher than necessary. Consider upgrading to Energy Star certified models and donate or recycle your old ones. You may even be eligible for a rebate on new Energy Star certified products!
Run Appliances at Full Capacity
Dishwashers and washing machines are two of the most used appliances in the home. But did you know they also use a lot of energy, whether they are full or not? Running them when they are only half full wastes energy. Wait until they’re full before running a load of laundry or dishes.
Set Consistent Thermostat Settings
It is extremely tempting to adjust the thermostat based on fluctuations in the weather. But keeping the thermostat set at a consistent, comfortable temperature will save energy. Decide on a comfortable temperature for when you’re at home, and adjust the thermostat to use a little less power while you’re away from the house. A smart thermostat will make these adjustments automatically and keep your home comfortable all the time.
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