Do you dread opening your electric bill each month? You're not alone. High electricity bills have become an all-too-familiar cost of modern life, whether it’s scorching hot summer days that necessitate air conditioning or cold winter nights that require the furnace to kick in.
But high electricity costs don't always need to be a fact of life--there are plenty of logical ways you can lower your electric bill without sacrificing comfort or convenience.
In this blog post, we'll explore why many people see higher than average electrical bills and offer straightforward tips for reducing energy usage throughout your home.
So get ready for nice surprises the next time you open up your utility statement!
Why Your Electric Bill is High
If you feel as though your electricity bill is high, you're not alone. The average electricity price is around 10.42 cents per kilowatt-hour.
In most cases, your appliances are often the biggest culprits when it comes to high energy bills. The average household can use up to 40% of their total electricity consumption on appliances alone!
Appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers should all be checked for energy efficiency ratings before being used in your home. You'll want to make sure that you're using Energy Star-certified products whenever possible, as these models typically use less energy and cost less on your electric bill over time.
Lighting is another major contributor to high electricity bills. Incandescent light bulbs are extremely inefficient and should be replaced with LED or CFL bulbs as soon as possible - these bulbs require far less electricity and have a much longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs. Installing motion detector lights in areas like hallways or bathrooms can help reduce your electric bill by only turning on when necessary.
The heating and cooling systems in your home are another big factor when it comes to electricity costs. Keeping the thermostat set at moderate temperatures while you're away from home can help reduce costs significantly - especially during summer months when cooling systems tend to run at full blast for long periods of time.
It's also important to regularly maintain your HVAC system; this includes replacing air filters monthly and scheduling regular preventative maintenance inspections with a professional technician. Doing so will ensure that your system is running efficiently for longer periods of time - saving you money in the long run!
5 Ways to Save Electricity at Home
We're all looking for ways to cut down on our electricity bills and save money. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to do just that!
1. Do an Energy Audit
A great place to start is by doing an energy audit of your home. An energy audit will help identify areas where you need to make improvements in order to become more energy efficient. It will also help you determine which appliances and electronics are using the most electricity and need to be unplugged or upgraded.
2. Unplug Appliances and Electronics - or Upgrade Old Ones
Many appliances and electronics continue to use power even when they are turned off. Unplugging these items can significantly reduce the amount of electricity used in your home each day. If some of your appliances and electronics are older, consider upgrading them with newer models as newer ones typically use less electricity than their older counterparts.
3. Adjust Your Thermostat
Another easy way to save electricity at home is by adjusting your thermostat settings. For example, setting it higher in summer and lower in winter can help save money on your electric bill while not compromising comfort. You can also look into smart thermostats that offer additional features such as scheduling and automated control, which can really help optimize your energy usage for maximum efficiency.
4. Change the Way You Shower
Taking shorter showers is one way to conserve water and reduce the amount of electricity used on hot water heating. Additionally, installing a low-flow shower head or lowering the water heater temperature setting can further reduce the amount of electricity used by your hot water heater each month.
5. Use Power During Off-Peak Hours
Many utility companies offer discounted rates for customers who use power during off-peak hours (usually between 10 pm - 6 am). This means that if you shift some of your activities like laundry or running larger appliances like washing machines during these hours, you could save a significant amount on your monthly electric bill!
Final Thoughts
Reducing the amount of electricity used in our homes is key for saving money as well as helping the environment. With these five easy tips, anyone can start saving electricity today! From doing an energy audit to changing up how we shower, there’s something everyone can do to become more efficient with their energy usage at home. So why wait? Start saving today!
