Are You Paying for Wasted Energy?

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Are your utility bills getting out of hand? According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), American households pay an average of $95.66 on monthly energy bills. Moreover, more than half of that energy is wasted. Phys.org reveals that 58% of U.S. energy seeps out of leaky door frames and windows and other inefficient residential appliances and fixtures. Here are some ways to save on electric bills:

Stop Paying for Wasted Energy

Saving money on utility bills starts with understanding how and why you are wasting energy. A household energy audit is one of the best ways to do that. Ask your energy provider, or a local weatherization and energy office, to recommend a professional to audit your home. When your home is audited, a professional will assess rooms and entry ways for lost energy. Many will suggest energy efficient products, tools, and fixtures. For example, professionals may suggest insulation, replacement window frames, faucet aerators, or energy efficient light bulbs.
Simple adjustments, such as fitting faucets with low-flow aerators, can save you an incredible amount of money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, aerators cost only $10 to $20 each. The products, however, may reduce household energy consumption by as much as 25% to 65% and shave hundreds off annual energy and utility bills.

Choose the Cheapest Electricity Supplier

Another way to save money on energy bills is to carefully compare electricity providers. As long as you live in one of the following districts or states — Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas or the District of Columbia — you have the option to choose the cheapest electricity supplier that best suits your needs. Consider these things when choosing a utility supplier:

  • Where are you using this energy? Commercial energy prices are much different than residential energy prices. If you are running a business, make sure to ask about commercial energy costs for the best rate.
  • Do providers offer green energy? Green energy is not only good for the environment. In some cases, switching to green energy may actually save you money. Providers and/or the government may offer incentives or discounted rates for using green fuels and electricity

Stop paying for water, electricity, and energy you don’t even use. Install energy efficient appliances and fixtures in your home, and ask energy providers about less expensive commercial and green energy rates.