Outside of our mortgage or rent, our utilities are likely one of the biggest recurring payments we have to make. In order to get the lowest rates, you want to check EnergyBot to compare rates and find the best deals.
However, another big part of how much your electricity bill is every month comes down to usage. The more energy and electricity being used, the more expensive your bills will be. Also, reducing your usage of electricity can also be good for the environment. But how can you go about conserving energy to bring your monthly costs down?
Without any further ado, let’s go over 3 helpful ways to save electricity at home.
Turn Off Lights and Electronics When You Don’t Need Them
Most of us are guilty of leaving the lights on when we leave a room or leave the house. We might be in a rush, might think someone else will do it, or will simply forget to do it altogether. If you leave a room, there is no need for something like lights and TV to still be on. As a result, try to turn them off every time you leave the room, even if you aren’t planning on being gone for long.
A short trip away can often turn into a long one, and by that point, your lights may have been on for several hours for no reason. While this might seem like something small, it can actually use up a good amount of electricity. In addition to turning off lights, be sure to turn off (and potentially even unplug) electronics when they’re not in use.
Install Energy Efficient Fixtures and Appliances
In addition to turning things off when not in use, you could also look into updating and upgrading your fixtures and appliances. These will often use up much less electricity than older and traditional models will. It can help you save electricity and energy without having to switch your habits at all.
There are a number of different options you have here. For example, you can purchase a new dishwasher or washing machine that uses far less energy, electricity and water, but will clean your clothes just the same. You can also switch over to LED lightbulbs that use a ton less electricity, and will last much longer.
Sure, these can come with some upfront costs, but they will save you money over time. Also, increasing the energy efficiency of your home can often boost the value if you decide to sell.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
The temperature of your home and how often you use air conditioning or heat can directly tie into how much electricity is used in your home. The less you use these things, the more electricity you will conserve. Because of this, it is a good idea to get a programmable thermostat.
These will allow you to pre-set the temperature of your home at any time of the day, often remotely. This means you won’t waste time heating or cooling your home when no one is around to enjoy it. Instead of running the air all day to make sure your home is cool when you return, you can set the thermostat to turn on the air 30 minutes before you arrive.
These are becoming more and more common as the prevalence of smart homes is on the rise. Also, be sure to check all windows and doors for leaks or drafts. If you have openings letting the air in and out, you will need to heat or cool your home for longer periods of time to reach the desired results.
In conclusion, the information in this article will be able to help you conserve and save electricity at home.