Tired of Steep Electricity Prices? Here are 20 Ways to Lower Your Bills
Fight High Electricity Prices with These 20 Tips
You’ve probably suffered from high energy bills at one point or another—maybe even consistently, month after month. Choosing to power your home through renewable energy at fixed rates can help you lower your costs and do good for the planet at the same time. However, ensuring that your bills stay as low as possible is up to you.
Here are 20 easy ways to help reduce your energy consumption and lower your bills over time. Implementing even one of these tips can help you save hundreds of dollars per year!
1. Unplug any appliances while you’re not using them.
This goes for charging cables as well. Your phone or computer charger could be using up energy even when your electronics are not connected.
2. Choose LED TVs over plasma TVs.
Plasma TVs can use more than twice the amount of energy than the newer, more energy-efficient LED versions.
3. Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances.
Dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, and the like with high EER (energy efficiency ratings) can help you save energy every day.
4. Choose your own energy supplier and electricity company.
If your state has deregulated energy, you can shop around for the best electricity prices.
5. Wash your clothes using cold water.
When you use hot water, both your washing machine and your water heater are consuming energy. Using cold lets you take one energy-draining appliance out of the equation.
6. Keep your thermostat temperature steady.
During the winter, try to keep your thermostat set at 68ºF (lower while you’re sleeping or away), and during the summer, try to keep it around 78ºF to keep your energy consumption low.
7. Install dimmer switches.
Use dimmer switches on your lights so you’re only using as much light and power as you need at any given time.
8. Turn off your ceiling fans if the AC is running.
9. Plant some trees outside of your windows.
Create shade and help cut your cooling costs.
10. Install/replace weather stripping (or re-caulk seals) around your house, especially around the doors or windows.
You’ll help keep air inside your home and prevent outside air from entering.
11. Use your heat-generating appliances at night when it’s cooler outside.
This includes your oven, dishwasher, and clothes dryer.
12. Change out your air filters as recommended.
This may be every couple of months or more frequently, depending on if you have pets or allergies. Changing out your air filters can ensure that your HVAC system works as efficiently as possible.
13. Have your HVAC system inspected regularly.
Ensure that it’s working properly and that it’s not using more energy than necessary.
14. Make sure that your home is properly insulated.
Including your attic or basement—to ensure that your HVAC system can do its job efficiently.
15. Don’t block any vents with furniture or bulky items.
Doing so can prevent your HVAC system from properly regulating the temperature in any given room.
16. Switch to fluorescent light bulbs over incandescent ones throughout your home.
17. Try high-pressure sodium light bulbs for outdoor uses.
18. Keep your refrigerator between 38 and 42ºF and your freezer between 0 and 5ºF to avoid using excess energy.
19. Set your home’s water temperature at or below 120ºF to avoid excess consumption.
20. Use your ceiling fans to circulate warm air, rather than cold.
Since warm air rises, your ceiling fans can help push the warm air away from the ceiling to maintain a comfortable temperature without overworking your HVAC system.
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