What is your monthly electricity bill? Whatever the answer is, you probably don’t mind having a lower electric bill. The good news is that there are many easy ways to reduce your energy costs. We’ve compiled a list of our favorites. While there are…
First, figure out your electricity bill.
Electricity costs depend on several factors. In addition to the constant charge for connecting to the infrastructure, there are a variety of additional fees and taxes. This part of the bill cannot be charged very often. The rest of the electricity bill is called “usage”. In other words, it is the amount of electricity you actually use. This is where you can affect changes and lower your bill.
Electricity usage is measured in kilowatt-hours, and you pay a fixed amount for each kilowatt-hour used. Running an appliance with a rated output of 1000 watts (1kW) for one hour will use 1 kWh of electricity. Therefore, it is important to know how much energy everything you plug into an electrical outlet is using. You also need to find out what your power company charges. The price per kilowatt can vary depending on the season and time of day. So gather information and be a smart consumer.
Monitor your energy usage.
If you really want to reduce your energy costs, the first step is to identify which of the things you have consume the most electricity. Air conditioners are notorious for their high energy consumption, but is there anything else in your home that is causing your monthly electricity bill to go up? There are many ways to do this detective work, but here are some simple methods. Connect your electronics to the Wemo Insight smart plug and you can monitor their usage with a smartphone app.
Run appliances at night.
One of the easiest ways to save money on electricity is to run appliances at night. Since everyone is awake and using things during the day, power companies tend to set rates higher during these peak hours. Electricity rates are usually much lower during off-peak hours. Check with your power company about rates during peak and off-peak hours.
Pay attention to lighting.
Choose better lighting, both inside and outside your home. LED bulbs consume 75% less power than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer. You can take it a step further by upgrading to LED smart bulbs. These new bulbs often allow you to control lighting throughout your home using your smartphone or voice commands, and with brands like C by GE, installation is easy. External lighting is also important. For lighting your backyard and walkways, opt for solar lights instead of relying on electricity.
Changing the Filter
Regular maintenance is necessary for a furnace to function effectively. Dirty filters can damage the entire system, as well as make the furnace work harder to pump air throughout the house. Changing the filter once a month will reduce the amount of energy required to run the furnace and lower your electric bill.
Wash in cold water
To avoid throwing away your electricity bill To save money, wash your laundry in cold water and hang it to dry if possible. If you need to dry your clothes in the washer, do not over pack them. Not leaving enough room for hot air to circulate will slow down the drying process and cost you more in laundry.
Keep an Efficient Refrigerator
Reduce energy use by running your refrigerator at maximum efficiency. Start by setting the refrigerator at 37 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit (any lower and you’re wasting energy). Refrigerators should be about three-quarters full. A full refrigerator uses less power to cool, but should leave enough space for air to circulate. Clean the coils on the back of the refrigerator a couple of times a year. Avoid the temptation to place objects on top of these, as this will make it difficult for hot air to escape and cause the equipment to work overtime.
Pay attention to the laundry cycle.
Wash dishes smartly. Use a short, eco-friendly cycle for all but the most heavily soiled items, and delay the start until the tank is full. Then, when the laundry is done, set it to dry naturally instead of hot water drying. This simple approach can reduce your appliances’ electricity use by 15-50%. Don’t have built-in options? Simply turn off the dishwasher and open the door after the last rinse.
Proper Insulation
Without proper insulation, all the money you spend on heating and cooling will leak through your windows, doors, and roof. The time and money spent on windscreens and insulation is well worth it.
Install a solar water heater
One of the easiest ways to save money on electricity is to install your own solar water heater. Water heating is the second largest consumer of electricity in the home, so it makes sense to install one now. This solar upgrade is designed to complement your existing electrical system, allowing you to enjoy hot showers even on cloudy days.
Give your air conditioner a break
Why not give your air conditioner a break? Before turning on the air conditioner or turning it to a lower temperature, cool it down in other ways. Close the curtains to block the sun from entering the room. However, be sure to turn off the fan when you leave, as it only sends air and does not cool the room. Of course, do not leave the air conditioner on when no one is home.
Keep to a schedule.
A great way to take advantage of lower off-peak electricity rates is to put simple socket timers, on the appropriate appliances and electronics. You may have used a similar gadget in the past to keep the lights in your home on schedule before you leave for the holidays. Think of this as another burglar-proof measure using an outlet timer.
Cost Savings
Small changes are important to save money on your electric bill.
