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With more people living in the house, the use of household energy is increasing. Unfortunately, high electricity bills come at a time when people are already financially tight.
Although utility companies and other organizations around the country offer support to people who need help paying their monthly energy bills, it doesn’t address one’s increasing use. Luckily there are ways you can reduce your energy bill without sacrificing much. Read on for money saving tips.
1. Change Laundry Time
Some energy companies charge customers less during certain times of the day, usually between 10 pm. And 8 a.m. If you save high-energy tasks like doing laundry and running the dishwasher for these non-peak hours, you can save several dollars on your monthly electricity bill.
For consumers who pay a similar rate, there are other measures you can apply.
2. Turn down your water heater
The Department of Energy reports that turning down your water heater by 120 degrees can save you about 10% on your energy bill, whether your heater is electric or gas.
Not only will a cooler water temperature save you a few bucks, but it will shorten your shower by just two minutes and you can reduce your water use by as much as 10 gallons.
3. Energy-saving cycle or play mode
If your appliances are certified energy efficient, you are well on your way to saving money on your electricity bill. You can further reduce costs by using energy-saving cycles such as the ‘Light Wash’ on your dishwasher or the cold water/cold air option on your washer and dryer.
If your dishwasher doesn’t have an air-dry setting, open your dishwasher door and allow your utensils to air dry instead of using an expensive heat-dry cycle.
4. Hang Your Clothes to Dry
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a clothes dryer consumes more energy than your washer, dishwasher and refrigerator. Instead of relying on this energy hog, give it a break and air dry your freshly washed wet clothes.
Whether it’s an entire outdoor clothing line, portable indoor dryer racks or the backs of chairs, hanging your clothes to dry can help you recognize the energy savings.
5. Skip the Oven and Grill Outside
Skip the oven and cook your food outside, of course, on your grill, provided the weather. Not only will this move save you money on your utilities, but it will also get you outside in the fresh air. And, because you could use a good laugh, tap or click to reveal how a squeaky oven went viral.
6. Use Smart Power Strips
Ever heard of Vampire Electronics? They are devices in standby mode that continue to consume energy. Thankfully, today’s smart power strips can detect these power suckers and cut power to them, so you can avoid incurring excessive energy costs.
Plus, you can manage smart power strips remotely via the app or smart assistant, ensuring you have more control over when your devices are turned on or off.
7. Check your weather stripping and sealing
Sealing windows and doors can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling bills. If your home has an existing weather strip, inspect it from time to time to make sure it is installed correctly, in good condition, and free of gaps or cracks.
8. Set Your Thermostat
Whether you rely on your furnace or have moved to air conditioning at this time of year, reducing your HVAC system usage by adjusting your thermostat back 7-10 degrees can save you 10% off your heating and cooling. During the warmer months, raise the temperature, the colder months, lower the temperature.
An easy way to help you maintain low energy consumption is with a smart thermostat. You can set heating/cooling schedules, adjust temperatures from anywhere, and create a report to visualize your usage.
9. Use Smart LED Light Bulbs
Replacing old incandescent bulbs for LED smart light bulbs can save your home hundreds of electricity bills annually. In addition to being affordable, smart bulbs offer a variety of features, including the ability to remotely manage, change colors, and some have built-in speakers that allow the bulb to play music.
Smart bulbs are the tip of the iceberg. Tap or click to find out just how big technology wants all your smart home devices to work at once.
10. View Your Household Energy Report
Get a home energy report from your provider when you think you have adjusted or changed all possible settings and practices to make a difference in your energy bill. This information can help you determine the areas that need attention and typically includes a detailed analysis of your home’s energy use and a comparison of similar homes.
