Saving money on your energy bill is an easy task if you take the time to make a few changes.
The most important one that you need to make is to be more aware. Leaving lights on, for instance, may seem trivial, but it does have an impact on the bill. Having the TV on, just for noise, takes excessive power that is not needed. Make small changes for a big difference.
Here are 10 best ways to save on energy bills:
1. Turn off everything
Turning off the light switch when you leave a room is a simple task that will impact your bill. Lights are not the only thing that needs to be switched off, though. Turn the television off when you are done watching it. If you have motion-sensing lights outside for security, turn them off during the day. If you drink coffee in the mornings, turn the small appliance off during the afternoon and night. Basically, anything that can be turned on and off, when not using, turn it off or unplug it.
2. Unplug your appliances
20% of energy usage comes from chargers left plugged in and small, nonessential appliances that are left on. This information is stated by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Most of this percentage falls upon electronic charging devices. People leave the chargers plugged in when not in use. This does use power. If you are not using it, unplug it, as I stated above.
3. Change your television settings
Advanced settings allow the TV to adjust its brightness automatically to compensate for a dark room. They also stay in sleep mode when not on so that they can start quickly. Turning these two settings off will help lower your energy costs.
4. Avoid peak hours
Peak hours are considered by the electric company to be a drain on their resources, so they can charge you more during these times of the day. For instance, using your dishwasher after dinner, like most of the population does. Get into the routine of using larger appliances at different times of the day to avoid the increased charges during peak hours.
5. Lower your temperature
The heater, and air conditioner, are two of the main expenses on your power bill. Turn the heat down a little and raise the cooling temperature settings up. For every degree that you change the thermostat, your cost will go down. Do a quick experiment if you need to. Compare electricity plans for two months. One with your current settings, and one with the new settings. You will be amazed at the difference it makes.
6. Shop smarter
An easy way to lower your costs is to shop smarter. Buy energy-efficient appliances to replace any older models that you may have. Use smart outlets and power strips that will shut off unnecessary items, such as a TV, when it goes into sleep mode. Small changes make big differences.
7. Use LED bulbs
A simple change that can be completed in a matter of minutes is the light bulbs. Change all yours inside, and outside, bulbs to LED lights. The cost that you will need to put out to buy them is justified when you figure out the overall savings. LEDs save money on the power bill and last substantially longer than traditional bulbs.
8. Weatherize your home
Spend some time and seal any cracks around the house that are letting drafts in. Replace old windows with energy-saving styles. Seal around all the doors. Lay carpets or rugs on the floor. Seal your windows with heavy curtains or blinds. All these changes will help with cooling and heating costs.
9. Use renewable energy
Windmills, solar power, and water-based energy can drastically reduce your power bill. The expense of shifting to these sources may seem expensive, but they are well worth the investment. They not only lower your bill, but they decrease the impact that you have on the environment.
10. Check the power usage
You can hire a professional to come out and give you a detailed breakdown of your usage. You could also go and buy a machine that will give you usage information. Either way, if you monitor your energy consumption it will allow you to adjust to lower the costs.
Final words
There are so many simple steps that you can do to save on your energy bill. Using energy-saving appliances, doing laundry when you have a full load, turning lights on only when it is needed, and many others. Simply be aware of what you are doing, and what your family and friends are doing, and educate them.
RELATED POSTS:
