Summer and winter months are when our energy bills are most likely to go up. Some people will end up with energy bills th3at are much higher than what they can afford due to inefficient means of using their energy. If your utility bills are high, there could be several reasons for this, some urgent, but some not so much. If you want to be proactive about saving money on your electric bills when they’re at their highest, taking a few extra steps can protect you from having a higher bill than what you can comfortably afford.

Consider Investing in Green Energy

It is no secret that part of the reason that more people are choosing solar or any other type of renewable energy is because it comes at a reduced cost. Some have saved hundreds of dollars in a year. Whatever green energy that you choose for your home or business will bring you savings with the great feeling of positively affecting the environment.

Make Sure Windows and Doors are Weather-Proofed

Something as simple as spending $50 to weatherproof your home yourself can save on your bills. If you’re making a concerted effort to keep cool air in during summer and warm air in during winter, you’re making it much easier on yourself when you’re home, relaxing.  

Grab Energy-Efficient Bulbs

Imagine getting all of the light that you need to fill every corner of a room, and getting it for longer than you ever have. Energy-efficient light bulbs can pay for themselves in as little as one billing cycle. Using between a quarter and three-quarters less energy than traditional light bulbs, meaning that they cost less in the long run, and last longer.

Have Your HVAC Inspected

A home’s HVAC system is often ignored until something goes wrong. You might notice that your home is harder to heat or cool, or that it is taking longer than before to get your home to the temperature that you want so that you can be more comfortable. Older HVAC systems have a tendency to be slower, and to consume more energy, making them more expensive to run. Having your heating and cooling system inspected, and repaired or replaced if needed is a good way of keeping your energy bills in check.

Wait Until the Evening to Use High-Energy Appliances

Strange as it may sound, energy demand goes down in the evening, making the latest part of your day the best time to use your dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, blow-dryer, large television, or other high-drain devices when you’re home, and you’ve been home for a while.

Use as Much Sunlight as You Can

Maybe this is a no-brainer to many people, but natural light has all of the uses of artificial light, and the added benefit of being better for growing food and flowers. Sunlight is strong enough to light up pages of books, make your steps visible, and provide enough brightness for you to drive all the way to work. Some people use the sun to power their homes through solar panels, which lessen your reliance on the electric grid.

The post How to Keep Your Energy Costs Down appeared first on .

Like gas for your car, electricity prices to power your home or business fluctuate. Depending on the amount of resources left, mined, or imported, electricity prices can increase a few cents per unit and exponentially increase your energy bill.

To help you save on your unpredictable energy bill, here are a few ways to cut down your energy consumption.

Turn Off Everything Before You Go To Sleep

Leaving a light on at night or falling asleep in front of the TV doesn’t seem like a big deal, but after happened a few it can drastically increase your utility bill especially if electricity prices are high.

Before you go to bed each night, make sure you’ve turned off all your appliances, lights, and fans. You can also cut down your energy consumption by turning off lights and other appliances when you’re not in the room.

Paint Your Roof White

If you live in a warm place and looking to cut down on your utility bill when electricity prices are high, paint your roof white. In one study houses with white roofs required 40% less energy than houses with black roofs.

Upgrade Your Appliances

If your washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, fridge, freezer, etc. haven’t been replaced in a while they could be drastically increasing your energy consumption. Not only are older models not as energy efficient but as the machines age they increasingly use more energy. Replacing your appliances can drastically help cut down on your energy consumption when electricity prices are high.

Most new appliances, especially washing machines, work at high efficiency to cut down on water and electricity consumption and indirectly your energy bill. Some states even offer rebates for replacing appliances with new energy efficient ones for even greater savings.

Plug the Cracks

Don’t let heat escape in the winter and seep in during the summer if you’re trying to cut down on energy consumption. Along door frames and windows are cracks that let your heating or cooling out of the house. To keep your house heated you’ll have to turn up the thermostat and drastically increase your energy bill.

By lining door frames and windows with foam or other materials heat won’t be able to escape and you’ll be able to turn the thermostat down. Especially during brutal winters, this can really help you save on your electricity bill.

Use LED Light Bulbs

Although they are a little pricier than average light bulbs, LED light bulbs are extremely efficient and definitely worth the investment. Each one lasts about 20 years and costs less than a dollar every year to use. You can even take them with you if you move!

Green Energy Offer Low Electricity Prices

Perhaps the easiest way to cut down on your electricity bill is by switching to renewable energy. We offer low fixed rates on clean energy like solar energy that take the surprise out of paying your energy bills every month. As an electricity company, we want to help the planet by helping you save so we make sure you’re always getting the best price. At the end of each term we’ll automatically convert you to the lowest price, ensuring you maximum savings.

SUBSCRIBE

The post How to Save on Your Utility Bill When Electricity Prices Are High appeared first on .