Electricity has already been a part of our daily lives. It has become a necessity, and sometimes we rely on it too much.
Nowadays, using modern technology such as smartphones, televisions, and other electronic appliances and gadgets requires electricity.
However, electricity isn’t free, and it’s not cheap. Leaving the air conditioner on when you’re asleep, leaving your smartphone charged, and your computer on idle still uses energy even when you’re not using it.
When you use energy, your electricity costs also go up. If you’re looking to cut your energy bills in half or if you don’t know how to read my electric bill, you need to adjust and change your behavior in your energy usage and be smart in using the electricity in your home.
By doing this, you can cut your energy consumption costs in half, and save money in the long run.
In this article, we’ll be giving you effective and feasible tips on how to cut your energy bills in half, and save more money on utility expenses.
Tips on How to Cut Your Electricity Costs In Half
Check Your Appliances, Windows, And Doors for Possible Leaks
It is crucial to inspect your windows and doors for openings, leaks, and broken seals.
Even a tiny leak, opening, or a broken seal can have an adverse effect on the feel of your home.
Caulking is a way to repair and replace broken seals, leaks, and openings in your windows and doors.
By repairing small problems like this in your home, you can feel comfortable again in your home, and spend less on repairs!
Get Faulty Ductwork Repaired
You should inspect if your air ducts are poorly installed, check for openings and possible leaks.
To repair this, using a wet and dry sealant to cover up the leaks and opening is preferred.
By doing this way, you can prevent further issues with your heating and cooling systems by repairing your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
Read Also:
- Go Green and Save Money: 7 Energy Efficient Improvements to Make to Your Home This Year
- Top 7 Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades and Why They’re Worth It
- 10 Energy-Saving Home Improvements to Lower Electricity Bills
- Home Improvement Ideas to Increase the Value of Your House
- How to Achieve an Energy Efficient Home Design
Nudge Your Thermostat
Lowering the temperature on your thermostat when you’re away, or when you’re sleeping, can significantly lower your heating and cooling expenses per year.
Consider also changing your conventional thermostat with a programmable thermostat because you’ll be able to monitor the temperature even when you’re away.
You can set your thermostat to turn on or off at a specific time, or adjust it to change the temperature when you’re away from home, or when you’re asleep.
There is a wide variety of programmable thermostats these days. There are advanced thermostats that can identify you’re having issues with your HVAC systems such as dirty air filters and faulty air ducts.
This is convenient so you can know the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems.
Adjust the Temperature on Your Fridge
The refrigerator is one of the appliances that take up almost half of your energy bill. You just never turn your fridge off.
You can save energy by adjusting the temperature at 38 degrees and your freezer between 0 to 5 degrees.
This will still keep your food fresh, and your fridge and freezer won’t do as much to keep its temperature.
Change Your Light Bulbs
Traditional incandescent light bulbs are very power-hungry bulbs and will use more energy which means your energy bill will also cost more.
Nevertheless, there are more energy-efficient alternatives than using traditional incandescent light bulbs.
Light-emitting diode light bulbs (LED bulbs) and compact fluorescent light bulbs use less energy by 50%-80% and last longer in comparison to installing traditional incandescent light bulbs.
When you purchase energy-efficient light bulbs like LED bulbs and fluorescent bulbs, they can be quite expensive when you buy them from the store.
But their energy consumption and longevity mean that they’ll last longer and you have to change light bulbs often.
Use Smart Power Strips
Phantom loads or standby power is a term for electricity that when electronic gadgets or appliances are on standby, they still use energy even when not in use, which means the electricity is wasted.
Smart power strips can be operated remotely using a remote control so you can turn them off when not in use and on when you’re going to use them.
Using a smart power strip for your appliances and electronic gadgets assures you that there will be no phantom loads as it cuts off the current when not in use.
Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances
If you’re considering changing an appliance in your home with a more energy-efficient one, buying an energy-efficient appliance with an ENERGY STAR label is the best one for you.
The ENERGY STAR label is a federal guarantee that the appliance you’re buying is environmentally friendly, indeed energy-efficient, without sacrificing the quality, features, and performance.
These energy-efficient appliances may be quite pricey compared to your conventional appliances, but they have a longer lifespan than your old ones.
Reduce Your Water Heater Temperature
The water heater is one of the biggest contributors to your electric bill. Reducing your usage of water heaters can save you a few bucks in your expenses.
If you’re considering reducing your hot water usage without buying an energy-efficient one, you can lower the temperature of your hot water system, use less hot water, and insulate your water heater.
If you’re going to change your traditional water heater to a more energy-efficient one, you should consider what type of water heater meets your needs, and what fuel or heating element it uses.
Needless to say, energy-efficient water heating systems are always better than traditional water heaters.
Consider an Energy Audit
There are energy providers and companies that offer free energy audits to check your home for any compromises that may interfere with your electricity bill.
An energy audit is also helpful for giving you tips and advice on what to change to help you lower your electric bill.
We may rely on electricity too much, but we should always know how to conserve energy so we can sustain it for the future.
If you want more tips and ways to lower your electricity bill, you can visit this website for more.
