Reasons Your Energy Bill Is Increasing Each Month

Homeowners are always looking for ways to save money, whether on homeowners insurance, remodeling costs, or monthly utility bills. The electric bill is one area where you’re probably doing things that are causing it to be higher than it should be. Continue reading to explore the various reasons your energy bill is increasing each month. This information can help you can fix the issues and save money.

Outdated Appliances

The older your big appliances are, the more energy they use. And the more power they use, the higher your energy bills climb. Getting Energy Star appliances can help decrease your electric bill because the big energy users, such as the refrigerator, washer, dryer, and dishwasher, will require less energy.

Update the outdated appliances and swap them for energy-efficient ones. Ensure you only run your washing machine and dishwasher when you have full loads. Select low heat for the dryer to help save energy as well. An energy-efficient refrigerator will use around four times less energy than an outdated model.

Leaving Chargers Plugged In

Many devices utilize chargers to charge, and your home probably has multiple iPads, cell phones, laptops, tablets, portable gaming systems, electric toothbrushes, and razors. The more technology you have in your home, the more likely you are to leave chargers plugged in. This habit allows the chargers to suck constant energy and drive up your energy bill.

To solve this problem, start unplugging all the chargers when you’re not using them. Refrain from charging your devices when unnecessary. That type of charging will only increase your energy bill.

Inefficient or Irregular Thermostat Use

Misusing the thermostat can raise your energy bill. You may adjust the thermostat based on the outdoor temperatures, which is the improper way to use it. A programmable or smart thermostat can also help heat or cool your home efficiently. You can program it to automatically set a temperature during a time when no one is home or everyone is sleeping.

The constant running of the HVAC system is one way inconsistent home temperatures cost you money. Many electric companies provide incentives when you upgrade to a smart thermostat. They may provide money back or deduct costs from your energy bill.

Inefficient Lightbulbs

There are many choices for lightbulbs these days. There are halogen, incandescent, light-emitting diode (LED), and compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. All these types use different energy amounts.

CFLs and incandescent bulbs waste the most energy because they emit heat and light in all directions. LED bulbs are the more energy-efficient option. They use around far less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs. You save money on your energy bills now and in the future with LEDs.

Now that you understand why your energy bill is increasing each month, you can make changes. These adjustments will help lower your electric bill and create a more energy-efficient home.

How To Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home

No one likes getting their energy bill at the end of the month and seeing the cost go up. That’s why people try to prioritize home designs and changes that help lower that bill. Here are some of the ways that you can improve the efficiency of your home.

Use Less Heat

One major change you can make to your life to decrease your home’s energy consumption is to use less heating. While you don’t want to live in a place that has no heating, you can save a lot by minimizing how much you use it. You can also only use it when you need to. This saves a lot on heating prices over time in your home.

Install Energy-Efficient Features

The energy efficiency of your home comes down to a combination of factors, but your doors and windows make a huge impact. Simply put, windows with proper sealant and good energy efficiency will help when heating or cooling your home. The outdoors won’t counteract your HVAC system’s efforts as much. This is one of the main benefits of using STAR-compliant doors, as they help insulate your home.

Utilize Solar Power

One great trick to increase your home’s energy efficiency is to create your own power so that you don’t have to pay as much at the end of the month. The most common method for this is to install solar panels, which use the sun to power your home and whatever else you want. This can save you lots of money and end your reliance on the power grid.

Switch Out Appliances

Another way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is to replace all the things in your home with energy-efficient alternatives. For example, LED lightbulbs normally use significantly less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. Carrying out small changes like these makes a huge difference over time and save you lots of money.

These changes will help you maximize your home’s efficiency and won’t drastically change your lifestyle once you adjust to it. Soon, you should have a smaller monthly bill coming in, and you’ll save yourself money every month that passes. Additionally, most of these changes have other benefits than energy efficiency, which makes them an even better investment.

6 Easy Ways to Reduce Home Energy Costs

Whether you're a homeowner or a renter, you know that energy costs can be a major expense. With the cost of electricity and gas on the rise, it's important to find ways to reduce your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. Fortunately, there are many easy and affordable ways to reduce your home energy costs. Here are 6 tips for reducing your energy use and saving money on your monthly bills. 

Change Your Light Bulbs 

One of the easiest ways to reduce your home energy costs is by replacing your light bulbs with more efficient models. LED bulbs use up to 85% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs, so they'll save you money in the long run. Additionally, LED bulbs last much longer than their incandescent counterparts, which means you won't have to replace them as often. 

Unplug Unused Electronics 

Another simple way to save money on your energy bills is by unplugging any electronics that aren't being used. TVs, computers, printers, and other electronics can draw power even when they're turned off—so unplugging them when not in use can make a big difference in your energy usage (and thus in your bills). Additionally, consider investing in a power strip so that you can easily turn off multiple electronics at once with one switch! 

Install a Whirlybird 

Whirlybirds can be a great way to save energy and make your home more efficient. By utilizing the principles of thermodynamics, whirlybirds work by drawing in hot air from the ceiling above and expelling it out through the top of the structure, thus cooling your building. As a result, you don't have to run your AC as much or for as long periods of time, meaning significant savings on electricity bills. Not only is this an eco-friendly solution program, but also an economical one. Therefore, installing one or several whirlybirds around your roofing can help reduce overall energy consumption while providing sufficient cooling throughout the day.

Insulate Your Home 

Insulation is essential for keeping warm air inside during winter months and cool air inside during summer months—which means it helps keep temperature-controlled air from escaping through cracks or poorly insulated walls or ceilings. Good insulation also helps prevent moisture buildup in walls or ceilings, which can lead to mold growth and other issues down the road. Investing in quality insulation now will help keep your home comfortable while reducing energy costs in the long run!   

Use Energy Efficient Appliances  

When shopping for new appliances like refrigerators or washing machines, look for ones that are labeled "Energy Star Certified". These appliances are designed to be more efficient than their non-certified counterparts—which means they'll use less electricity (and cost less) over time! Also look for appliances with digital displays that allow you control settings manually rather than leaving them on auto mode all day; this will help ensure that they're only running as much as necessary at any given time instead of wasting power when not needed!       

Seal Air Leaks  

Finally, make sure that any doors or windows around your home are properly sealed so that heated or cooled air doesn't escape outside (or vice versa). You can purchase special caulk at most hardware stores specifically designed for sealing around windowsills or doorways; simply follow instructions on how best to apply it and enjoy lower energy bills moving forward!             

Reducing home energy costs doesn't have to be an overwhelming task; there are many easy steps you can take today that will make a huge difference over time! From changing light bulbs to using more efficient appliances and properly sealing doors and windows against air leaks – these 6 tips will help you save money on monthly bills without sacrificing comfort at home! Even small changes can add up quickly; start implementing these tips today and watch as your savings grow each month!

Guest Post - The 4 Best Smart Thermostats for Energy Efficiency

With rising prices around the country, it’s more important than ever to try to save a dollar or two where you can. While it may seem contradictory to recommend spending money to save money, an upfront investment can save you a lot in the long run on home energy efficiency! 

That’s why we’ve curated this list of our four favorite smart thermostats to make your home’s heating and cooling more energy efficient. Not only does energy efficiency save you money, but it’s better for the planet, too!

Our Four Favorite Smart Thermostats for Energy Efficiency

Honeywell Lyric T5 Smart Thermostat | MSRP $124.99

Best Bang for Your Buck + Easy Installation

We’re listing this Honeywell thermostat first on our list for its balance between price and quality. It’s relatively easy to install, integrates with smart-home systems like Google Assistant and Alexa, and has a smartphone app to control your home temperatures from anywhere.

While some reviewers note that the thermostat has issues with staying connected to their home’s Wifi, it more than makes up for occasional issues in its ease of installation and other functionality.

ecobee Smart Thermostat With Voice Control | MSRP $219.99

Best Combination of Design and Functionality

The first thing that stood out to us about the ecobee Smart Thermostat is how gorgeously sleek it looks on the wall (an admittedly subjective opinion, but worth mentioning). Not only can you control it with voice, but it has built-in speakers that you can use for an intercom function around the house!

According to the ecobee website, you can expect to save up to 26% on annual energy costs, but your mileage may vary. 

Google Nest Learning Thermostat, 3rd Generation | MSRP $249.00

“Smartest” Thermostat on the Market

The 3rd generation Google Nest thermostat is the most expensive on our list of 4 best smart thermostats for energy efficiency, and it boasts an impressive suite of features. Most notable is the “Learning” aspect of the thermostat; the Google product page claims it “automatically adapts as your life and the seasons change. Just use it for a week and it programs itself.”

Like the other thermostats on this list, you can control it from anywhere with an app or from the room it’s in with your voice. And, according to an independent study, you can expect to save around 10%-15% on heating/cooling expenses with the Google Nest.

LuxPro Thermostats | MSRP $34.99+

Our Favorite Smart Thermostat on a Budget

As the cheapest option on this list, the LuxPro line of programmable thermostats is definitely the least feature-rich. But that doesn’t mean they can’t still help you save on your energy bill! The lowest level of LuxPro Thermostats may not technically be “smart” thermostats, but they still have programmable schedules so you’re only heating or cooling when you need it.

LuxPro’s smart thermostats, such as the GEO and KONO lines, are more comparable to the other brands on our list in both price and features.

Saving time and energy has never been easier!

A smart (or programmable) thermostat could save you money on your energy bills, not to mention the daily time you’ll save not having to change the thermostat whenever the room gets uncomfortable. Whether you go with one of the thermostats above or find a different brand that suits your home better, you’ll be happy you made an investment that pays for itself in just a year or two.

And if you want to learn even more about how to save energy at home, check out all of House to Home Organizing’s blog posts on the topic!

Author Bio

Aux Home Services is a heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical company in Bessemer, Alabama. We’ve been helping families across Jefferson and Shelby Counties for over 30 years with their home services needs. The Aux Home Services difference is in our dedication to providing you with the very best service possible.