Are your electrical bills getting a little higher than you want? Do you want to cut down on your energy costs?
In 2021, an average American household consumed about 886 kWh per month, which is around $125. Want to cut your energy bill by half or more? You might be wondering how you can go about saving on energy bills.
There’s a ton of things, from going green to technical help, that you can use to lower your energy bill each month. Keep reading to learn about some simple ways you can cut down your energy costs each month.
1. Take Advantage of Energy-Efficient Appliances
Taking advantage of energy-efficient appliances is a great way to reduce your energy costs. You are saving some bucks while also helping the environment.
Energy-efficient appliances use less power and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They also help minimize the waste of valuable resources. They also have lower operating costs and last longer than conventional appliances.
When buying appliances, look for the Energy Star label, which indicates the appliance meets or exceeds energy efficiency standards set by the US Department of Energy. Additionally, look for appliances with higher energy efficiency ratings, as they typically use less energy.
Finally, install smart strips at strategic locations in your home, which will help you reduce power usage by automatically turning off appliances when not in use.
2. Utilize the Sun Whenever Possible
One of the most cost-effective and simple ways to reduce your energy costs is to utilize natural light and heat whenever possible. To benefit from natural light, install a skylight or upgrade your windows.
Skylights maximize the sunlight entering the room and are especially beneficial for rooms without any windows. You can even purchase windows with a special coating of glaze to help direct more sunlight into your home and improve insulation.
Additionally, keep your blinds and curtains open during the day to let natural light in. This will be beneficial to both energy costs and the aesthetic of your home.
Apart from bringing light into your home, the sun is also a great source of heat. Instead of using an electric clothes dryer, you can utilize the heat of the sun for drying your clothes.
Just set up a clothesline and buy a bunch of clothes pins and hangers and you are all set! The sun is also a natural bleach which is good for your whites. Hanging your clothes to dry may require more effort, but it will definitely cut your energy cost significantly.
Don’t let the sun’s rays go to waste, take advantage of natural lighting whenever you can!
3. Unplug Unused Electronics
One way to reduce energy costs is to unplug unused electronics. Common electronic devices that we leave plugged in are televisions, microwaves, computer screens, and cell phone chargers.
Leaving them plugged in can increase electricity costs, as these electronics and appliances still draw power even when turned off. Unplugging electronics, and using power bars or surge protectors to cut the power to all connected electronics when not in use can save money by reducing electricity usage.
Additionally, finding energy-efficient alternatives to replace old, inefficient products can save energy and money. If a large appliance is drawing too much energy, replacing it with a newer, energy-efficient model can add up to significant savings.
4. Install Insulation in Your Home
Installing insulation in your home is a great way to reduce your energy costs. Insulation stops heated or cooled air from entering or escaping your home, so you don’t need to use as much energy to keep your house at a comfortable temperature.
Start in the attic, as this is where most of your home’s heat escapes. Also, be sure to check the exterior walls and any crawl spaces. Adding insulation to your basement and your hot water heater will also help lower your energy bills.
Check for any gaps where air may be entering your home. Use caulk or weatherstripping to fill them. All these measures will add up to savings on your energy costs in the long run.
5. Monitor Your Thermostat for Energy Savings
Monitoring your thermostat is one of the best ways to reduce your energy costs. This is because, on average, heating and cooling account for more than 50% of the energy use in an average home.
Setting the temperature to 68 degrees during cold months and 78 degrees during the summer months can save up to 10% on energy costs. Additionally, setting the thermostat back 10-15 degrees for 8 hours a day can save around 10% a year on heating and cooling costs.
Installing a programmable thermostat or using a smart thermostat with temperature tracking can also save energy and money by eliminating wasted energy from forgotten settings. On top of all that, keeping an energy journal to track energy use and identify areas that need to be improved can help reduce energy costs as well.
By monitoring your thermostat and striving for energy efficiency, you’ll be on your way to reducing energy costs and making your home more sustainable.
6. Consider Investing in Solar Panels
Solar panels are a great investment to reduce energy costs and go green. Installing solar panels can provide energy savings by consuming energy produced by the sun instead of relying on traditional energy sources.
Solar panels can also reduce energy costs by lowering electricity bills, reducing air pollution, and providing a hedge against future energy rate increases. Solar energy can produce electricity or heat water. It can also reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Solar energy provides an eco-friendly energy source. Solar panel installation also provides tax credits and other financial incentives. Additionally, they require minimal maintenance, making them easy and cost-effective to install.
All of these benefits can lead to great savings in energy costs. This solar panel company can help you get started by giving you an estimate.
Start Reducing Your Energy Costs Now
Making small changes, like turning off and unplugging electronic devices and using energy-efficient lightbulbs and appliances, are great ways to reduce your energy costs. Taking the time to research energy-efficient options for your home and taking advantage of energy discounts and incentives is also key. Start making energy efficiency a priority and reduce your costs today!
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