It seems like no matter where you look prices are increasing, which has so many people asking, “how to save money on your electric bill?”
The cost of living is constantly rising, and your electric bill is no exception. Since 2008, the average electricity rate for a U.S. household rose over 4.3%, which may not feel that significant but can translate into a large chunk of money over time. And with the ever-growing popularity of devices that require electricity to function – like laptops, tablets, and smartphones – your bill will only continue to go up.
Stop Spending So Much on Electricity
Since there is nothing we can do as far as the cost of electricity goes, the only way to lower your monthly bill is by using less. At first glance, you probably are thinking, “we don’t use much electricity; our bill can’t be that high.” But the truth is, there are many ways we use electricity without even realizing it.
Super Simple Ways to Save on Energy Costs
Using less electricity hardly requires a complete overhaul of one’s lifestyle. There are a number of small things you can do that will make a big difference. Be sure to enlist the help of family members as it is truly a team effort to make the change.
Below we will look at a handful of ways to reduce your energy consumption resulting in a lower bill.
Educate Your Family About conserving Energy
One of the best ways to reduce your electricity consumption is to educate your family about it. Show them how much money you can save by making a few simple changes. Let them know that every little bit helps. Turn it into a game and see who can use the least amount of electricity each week. The more you can get your family on board, the better chance you have of successfully reducing your consumption.
Switch to CFL Bulbs
Switching to CFL Bulbs will help you save money on your electric bill. CFL bulbs are more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. They last up to 10 times longer, so you won’t have to replace them as often. On average, CFL bulbs use roughly 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs, so they will definitely help you save money in the long run.
Unplug Devices When You’re Not Using Them
You may not realize it, but even when devices are turned off, they can be energy guzzlers. It is important to unplug devices when they are not in use. This includes things like your coffee maker, toaster, and even your TV. By unplugging these devices when they are not in use, you can save a significant amount of money on your electric bill each month.
Use Energy Star Products
Energy Star Products are designed to be more energy-efficient than traditional appliances and electronics. When making a purchase, always look for the Energy Star label. While these products may cost a bit more upfront, they will save you money in the long run by using less electricity.
Seal Attic Air Leaks
Air leaks are an invisible energy waster. To prevent energy from escaping through your attic, be sure to seal any air leaks. This will help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which will save you money on your heating and cooling costs.
Reduce Your Hot Water Usage
A simple way to save money on your electric bill is by reducing your hot water usage. This can be as simple as taking shorter showers, turning down your water heater, and washing your clothes in cold water. Chances are you won’t even notice the difference in your daily life.
Close Heat Registers in
If you have rooms in your home that are not used often, be sure to close the heat registers. Closing vents will prevent heat from entering these rooms and help lower your energy costs. You can also lower the temperature in your home during the winter. To ensure comfort, throw on an extra sweater, a cozy pair of slippers or snuggle up in a throw blanket if feeling chilly.
Insulate Crawl Space Ducts
Ducts that run through your crawl space can lose a lot of heat, which will end up costing you money. To prevent this, be sure to insulate your crawl space ducts. Adding extra insulation is a relatively easy task that you can do yourself or hire someone to do it for you.
Insulate Walls
Ensuring your home is adequately insulated is an essential set to conserving energy, thus resulting in a lower monthly electricity bill. Check the insulation in your walls and add more if necessary. Proper home insulation is critical in older homes as they tend to have less insulation than newer homes.
Keep your freezer full
A full freezer will run more efficiently than an empty one. If you don’t have enough food to keep your freezer full, consider adding some water jugs. These will help keep your freezer running efficiently and prevent your food from going bad if there is a power outage.
Defrost Your Freezer Regularly
To expand on the previous suggestion, it is important to defrost your freezer on a regular basis. A build-up of frost can cause your freezer to work harder, which will end up costing you money. Aim to defrost your freezer at least once a year.
Don’t run your appliances unless they’re full
It may be tempting to run a half-full dishwasher or throw in a small load of laundry; however, this is a waste of energy. Instead, wait until your dishwasher is full or do a larger load of laundry to make the most of each cycle.
When running your dishwasher, industry professionals suggest that the light cycle option is just as effective at cleaning as the regular cycle. Not only is the cycle typically shorter, resulting in less energy use, but it also, on average, uses 55% less water.
Air-dry dishes whenever possible
Another way to save money on your electric bill is by air drying your dishes instead of using the dishwasher’s drying cycle. To do this, simply open the dishwasher door after the final rinse cycle and allow your dishes to air dry.
Install a smart thermostat
There are several ways to save money on your electric bill with today’s technology. One such method is by installing a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats can learn your heating and cooling habits and adjust the temperature accordingly. By making this small change, there can be significant savings on your energy costs.
Smart thermostats can also have features that allow them to connect to your personal devices and will enable you to adjust the temperature of the home if you are away.
Replace the air filter
An old or dirty air filter will cause your heating and cooling system to work harder, which will end up costing you money. To prevent this from happening, regularly replace your air filter. Depending on the type of filter you have, it is recommended that you replace it every 1-3 months.
Seal gaps and cracks around doors and windows
One way that heat can enter your home is through gaps and cracks around doors and windows. To prevent this from happening, be sure to seal any holes or cracks that you may find. You can use weather stripping or caulk to seal these areas.
Keep your oven closed
We’ve all heard the phrase “if you’re looking, you aren’t cooking.” This phrase is accurate when it comes to your oven. Whenever you open your oven door, heat escapes, which may cause your range to kick back on to bring the temperature back up. So, next time you’re cooking, resist the urge to peek and just wait until your meal is done.
Use a ceiling fan
In the summer months, a ceiling fan can be used to circulate cool air and make your home more comfortable. This will allow you to raise the temperature on your thermostat, which will result in lower energy costs.
In the winter months, you can reverse the direction of your ceiling fan so that it runs clockwise. When doing this the warm air that rises to the ceiling will be pushed down and circulated back into the room.
Use a power strip
A power strip is a great way to save money on your electric bill. Power strips allow you to easily turn off all of your electronics with the flip of a switch. When you’re not using your electronics, unplug them or turn them off at the power strip.
Turn off lights
This may seem like a no-brainer, but turning off lights when you leave a room is one of the easiest ways to conserve energy. Get in the habit of doing this, and you’ll be surprised at how much money you can save on your electric bill.
If you struggle to fall into the habit, especially when it comes to garage lights or exterior lights, consider installing motion sensor lights that will automatically shut off after a determined amount of time.
Indoors, smart plugs are a great way to ensure no small table lights or corner lamps get left on. Smart plugs often provide features that allow for automatic timers, shutting off lights at a set time every evening.
Use a clothesline
Clotheslines may seem like a thing of the past, but they are actually a great way to save money on your electric bill. Try hanging your clothes up to dry instead of using your dryer, which uses a lot of energy. Clotheslines are an excellent idea in the summer when the weather is warm, and you can take advantage of the sun’s natural drying power.
If you don’t have an outdoor space suitable for hanging clothes, there are many indoor clotheslines that you can purchase. These can be hung in your laundry room or even in a spare closet.
Final Thoughts on lowering Your Electrical Bill
Trying to save money can feel overwhelming when looking at your budget as a whole; however, making small changes in your daily routine can have a significant impact on your bottom line. The tips we’ve shared with you today are all easy ways that you can save money on your electric bill. So, what are you waiting for? Give them a try and see how much you can save!
But, check out our FREE web class on budgeting here!
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