The cost of electricity can be an unwelcome shock on your monthly utility bill, especially if you’re unprepared for it and need to realize how much power you’re using.
However, energy efficiency measures can go a long way in lowering overall energy usage and bills. Implementing some of the following tips into your daily routine can significantly lower your energy costs without drastically changing your lifestyle!
Switch out your unnecessary light bulbs
Light pollution is a problem for everyone. It doesn’t just affect astronomers trying to study the stars. It also wastes money and energy. Estimates suggest that the world spends about 120 billion dollars annually on unnecessary lighting. In the United States, this costs about 37 billion dollars per year!
So what can we do about it?
One easy solution is to switch out your unnecessary light bulbs. Look for energy-efficient options like LED bulbs. These bulbs use less electricity and last longer, saving you money in the long run. You can also install timers or motion sensors to ensure your lights are only on when needed. Every little bit helps!
Educate Yourself on How to Read Your Meter
Reading your meter is easy and free to ensure you’re paying only what you need. Some utilities make it easier for customers to read their meters by providing online access.
Check with your utility company to find out what’s available in your area. If they don’t offer this service, they should be able to give you some tips on how to read a meter.
Educate Yourself on the Different Types of Lighting
In the past, we have been told that the only way to get light was with a light bulb. However, there are many different types of lighting that you can use to illuminate your home.
These include:
- Fluorescent tubes
- Compact fluorescents
- LED lights
- Halogen lights
- and Incandescent bulbs.
Use Power Strips
An easy way to conserve electricity is to unplug items you’re not using. For example, unplugging your TV, microwave, dishwasher, or any other appliance will help save electricity.
Power strips allow you to conveniently turn off all the devices in a single place instead of walking around the house. These are especially useful if you’re planning on being away from home for an extended period.
Consider a Smart Thermostat
One way to lower your electricity costs is to consider replacing your old thermostat with a more innovative model. Intelligent thermostats cost less than $200, connect wirelessly to the internet, and can save you up to 20% in energy bills by automatically adjusting the temperature based on when you’re home.
Plus, they come with a touchscreen interface that’s easy to use, so it’s hard to get wrong. As a result, homeowners have more accessible time-saving money without thinking about it all the time.
Install a programmable thermostat:
A programmable thermostat enables you to set the temperature at different times during the day. You can also set it to adjust temperatures automatically when you’re away or asleep, which will help save energy while you’re gone.
Utilize Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are among the simplest ways to lower your electricity costs. On summer days, running a ceiling fan in your home can make all the difference between a comfortable living space and an unbearable one.
This is because ceiling fans do more than circulate air. They also push hot air down from the ceiling. This helps take some of the load off of your home’s central AC unit, which means it won’t have to work as hard to cool your home down–saving you money on your electricity bill while simultaneously making life more comfortable in warm weather.
Take Advantage of Natural Light
One of the easiest ways to save money on your electricity bill is by using natural light. Depending on where you live, this may be easier than others, but if you’re able to use a lot of natural light in your home or office, it will not only help conserve energy but also leave a smaller carbon footprint.
One way to take advantage of natural light is by installing more windows or skylights in your home or office building.
If you don’t have an option for adding windows, try to do the next best thing: open curtains or blinds during the daytime so that sunlight can naturally illuminate your space. You can also turn off lights when the sun is shining to use this free resource fully.
Utilize equipment more effectively
- Buy a water dispenser instead of bottled water. You’ll save money in the long run by not buying bottled water, and you will be reducing your carbon footprint as well.
- Turn off your lights when they’re not needed to avoid wasting energy. This includes turning off lights in rooms that are not being used or if you’re leaving for a few minutes, even if it’s just for a quick break from work.
- Turn off computers, TVs, and other electronics at night when they’re not being used to avoid phantom power consumption that can cost about $100 per year per device
- Unplug electronics when they aren’t being used to eliminate phantom power consumption.
Insulate your water heater
Insulating your water heater is one of the most cost-effective ways to save on your electricity bill. If your water heater is not insulated, it can be 10-15 degrees hotter than the room it’s in. This increases its energy usage by up to 25%.
Dishwasher and washing machine use is recommended at night
A great way to save money is to use the right appliances at the right time. For example, running your dishwasher and washing machine at night can be a great way to save money. You will not be using electricity while asleep, saving you that cost.
Plus, it is often cheaper to run your dishwasher overnight when there is less demand for electricity. If you do this, ensure your washer has a timer or sensor, so it knows when no one is home. The same goes for clothes dryers; they should always be set to Timed Dry mode so they know not to turn on if no one’s home- preventing unnecessary waste of energy.