If your electric bill is too high, we’ve got good news for you: ways to save on your bill that are easy and actually work! Check out our tips on how to lower your electricity bill.
Turn off the Lights
An easy way to save money is to turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. The cost to light your home accounts for about 20 percent of the electric bill. It might seem like not a lot, but when the average homeowner pays $200 per year, it can add up. When you leave a room, turn the lights off. If you forget, you can install some smart tech to help you remember. Smart plugs allow you to turn off the lights with your phone while motion sensors lights will turn off when they don’t detect any person (or pet) in a room.
Change Your Bulbs
Not all bulbs are created equal, and some could be raising your electrical bill. Switching to energy-saving lightbulbs might cost a bit more upfront, but they’ll save you big bucks over time. They also generate less heat and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs! That means you don’t have to replace bulbs as often (which saves you even more money). So next time you’re out buying lightbulbs, check out the compact fluorescent (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
Phantom energy is what happens when appliances use up energy, even when they’re turned off.
Unplug Items Not in Use
Be aware of phantom energy! And no, we’re not talking about ghosts. Phantom energy is what happens when appliances use up energy, even when they’re turned off. Small appliances like phone chargers, coffee makers, toasters, computers, and video game consoles are big offenders of this. These appliances might seem like they’re off, but they’re really in “stand-by” mode. This mode still draws out some electricity when they’re plugged in. Start unplugging those devices and appliances when you’re not using them. You’ll be surprised by how much money you save on your electric bill!
Seal up Your Home
Keeping your windows, doors, and appliances sealed properly can make a big difference when it comes to saving money. A bad seal on a window can lead air to travel into or out of your home, forcing you to use more energy to maintain the right temperature inside. Seals can deteriorate over time due to heat, cold, moisture, and UV rays, so you should go around your home and inspect them at least once a year. To patch up an air leak, use weather strips on your windows and doors.
Be Smart About Your Appliances
If you want to save on your electric bill, you need to be smart about your appliances. This includes your washing machine, dishwasher, and dryer. There are a few things you can do to help you save. First, electricity is often cheaper late at night or early in the morning. This is because these are off-peak hours when not as many people are using electricity. You can use this to your advantage and run your laundry or dishwasher during these off-peak hours. This varies depending on where you live, but they typically begin after 7 pm. Another way to save is to not run your appliances until they’re full.
If you’re really looking to save your electric bill, upgrading to new energy-efficient appliances can help. The cost may be expensive upfront, but you’ll benefit with savings on top of savings.
And Most Importantly…
Hire the right electrician! A knowledgeable team will be able to assess your home energy needs before they run up your monthly bill. At Speck Family Electric, you can tell us your needs and our skilled team will help make your home more energy-efficient so you can save more on your electric bill. We service those in Sparta, Chattanooga, Cookeville, Crossville, Gallatin, Lebanon, McMinnville, Mount Juliet, Murfreesboro, and Smithville.
