Have you ever looked at how much you paid on your electric bill and thought, Why is this so much? All of this can be shared with others. It’s common for many people to experience similar irritation as the weather gets cold in winter and hot in summer. There is good news here! There are ways to lower your electric expenses that won’t make your home too uncomfortable. You’ve come to the perfect article if you’re wondering, “How to lower my electric bill.”
You’ll find straightforward tips in this guide that actually do work. You can have a room on a budget. Making a few small changes to your habits and your home is enough. Let’s start!
12 Smart and Simple Ways to Cut Your Electric Bill Today
1. Do an Energy Audit First
It’s important to know where your home is losing energy before you make any major changes. An energy audit is the name given for this step. Many utilities give you this service without charging or being stupidly cheap. When the audit is done, professionals look around your home for water or energy leaks.
If you don’t use a pro, you can still do the audit yourself. Go throughout the entire house. Have a close look for any cracks around your windows or doors. See if lights or electronics are on if you’ve switched them off. Minor leaks and waste over time can create quite a large problem.
2. Seal Air Leaks and Insulate Better
Most of the costs on an electric bill come from heating and cooling. A draft in your house causes your HVAC unit to overexert itself. It’s therefore more expensive.
A solution to this is to:
- Around the windows and doors, put weather stripping to keep out air and water.
- Seal the space found around outlets, baseboards and attic hatches.
- Put insulation in places it’s needed, mainly in the attic.
The Department of Energy claims you can save up to 20% on your monthly energy costs by sealing leaks. You’re looking at $100–$160 a year for this. Don’t worry, this is simple DIY stuff.
3. Adjust Your Thermostat Wisely
Small tweaks in the thermostat can make major differences in your home.
- At night in winter: Turn down the temperature on your thermostat by 10 or 15 degrees.
- If you’re away from your home for any length of time during the summer, be sure to shut and lock your windows.
- Install a programmable thermostat to make the changes without you having to do them manually.
You could reduce your heating and cooling bills by 10% by doing this. Buying a smart thermostat usually sets you back about $130–$200, but you can save almost $180 each year. That’s why you can start saving immediately.
4. Use Fans the Right Way
A fan takes up less energy than turning on the air conditioner. A ceiling fan will save you up to 90% on the power costs of your central AC system.
- When it’s hot, remember to have your fan go counterclockwise. You get cooled down by blowing air down your shirt.
- When it’s winter, rotate your fan clockwise to pull the warm air from the top of your room.
Oven aside, remember that it’s your body that needs to cool down, not the place you’re in. Remember to turn them off if you’re not in the room.
5. Cover Windows Smartly
Windows can make a home feel very hot or very cold. But letting that happen can work in your favor.
- During the winter, keep the curtains open while it’s bright and closed when it gets dark.
- Remember to close blinds and curtains in summer from early afternoon on.
Using this trick allows you to keep your home cool without much extra energy.
6. Use Energy-Efficient Devices
It’s normal for your electricity bill to go up if you use older appliances and electronics. Choose only items with the Energy Star label. They work just as well as other models, but their energy use is much less.
Let’s look at some things you could add when you upgrade:
- You can choose LED bulbs over those old incandescent ones.
- Using a smart power strip can keep energy vampires from wasting your energy bill.
- All of our fridges, dishwashers and washing machines are designed to use less energy.
Simply using LED lighting can save you over $100 to $225 each year.
7. Shut Down Devices You’re Not Using
Devices such as laptops, TVs and game consoles use power even if you’re not actually using them. For this not to happen:
- Make sure they are not on at all.
- Don’t plug in your chargers unless you are charging a device.
- You can make your power cut off automatically by using smart power strips.
Simple changes in your routine might save $100 or more over the course of the year.
8. Use Cold Water for Laundry
Using heating for your laundry is a major energy drain. Choose cold or warm water at your wash, not always hot water.
- Don’t wash just one or two pieces of clothing unless your machine requires it.
- Dry your clothes naturally by hanging them, whenever possible.
You’ll find that washing with cold water keeps your clothes in good shape.
9. Take Shorter Showers and Replace Your Shower Head
Getting into a hot shower might be pleasing, but it’s also quick and expensive. Work on keeping your shower under 2–3 minutes shorter.
- A WaterSense-labeled showerhead will cut down on the water used in your shower.
- Drop the temperature on your water heater from 140°F to 120°F. Changing only this one habit can help you save $400 each year.
You probably won’t feel much difference—but your power bills will go up.
10. Cook and Clean Smarter
A variety of home appliances in the kitchen can run up your electricity costs. Don’t overuse them.
- Don’t open the oven door every time you check the baking. Whenever you contact it, 25°F is taken off the temperature.
- Mountain housekeeping is easier when you cook small meals with gadgets such as a toaster oven, a slow cooker or a microwave.
- Don’t start your dishwasher unless it is full. Choose the power-saving setting when it is available.
You use less power and water when you follow these tips.
11. Ask About Discounted Rates and Rebates
A number of utility firms offer customers an opportunity to save money by using electricity at odd hours. If you wash the dishes and laundry during those times, you’ll save money.
You should also find out about:
- Special offers for products that save energy
- Financial assistance for checking energy efficiency in your home or for making energy-saving repairs
Altogether, these offers may help you afford the changes you’d like.
12. Keep Up with Regular Maintenance
A program of cleaning and maintenance will make your HVAC, fridge and water heater operate more efficiently.
- Change your filters every one to three months.
- Modern fridge coils should be cleaned every year.
- Get a yearly check of your heating and air conditioning system.
Looking after your appliances can save them from early breakdowns and save a lot of energy.
Final Thoughts
Next time you’re thinking about how to lower my electric bill, remember that small changes can lead to big savings. You can lower your paper bill and help the environment by fixing leaky plumbing, adjusting your home thermostats and changing to smart power strips and LED bulbs.
You don’t have to spend much time or money to make a difference. Just follow one or two of the tips here at a time and continue from there. Within a few months, you’ll see both your energy bill and your daily habits are different.
Energy saving is something everyone, any age, can do. Today is a great time to get started!
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