With energy costs skyrocketing, you might be looking for a few tips to help you save on your electric bill. You can do certain things to assist in cutting your costs, even if it takes a lot of time and money to make significant adjustments. For example, unplugging electronics that use power while on standby can save you much money over time. Other easy ways to lower your electricity bills include:
Change Your Light Bulbs
Light bulbs use up to 15% of the energy in your home, and one of the easiest ways you can save is by switching to energy-efficient ones. They cost more upfront but use up to 90% less energy and can save you $30 to $80 throughout their lifespan. Look for lights with an ENERGY STAR label. Remember that lumens (brightness) are more important than wattage when shopping for new bulbs. You can often get away with using lower-wattage bulbs in places that stay on for long periods, such as closets and half bathrooms. Also, when choosing a bulb, could you pay attention to its color temperature? A low color will have a yellow tone, while a high color will be bluish.
A reduced monthly energy bill will directly result from switching to a new energy provider with a lower power cost with the help of websites like EnergyPricing.com. Many utility companies have programs that help you make this switch, including home audits and subsidized light-buying programs. Ask yours about these and see what you can qualify for. Also, some utilities have “time of use” pricing plans that offer you a cheaper rate for electricity when it’s most needed. It allows you to use your appliances when they are most efficient without sacrificing comfort. These are great options if you live in a hot climate. Moreover, cheap electricity rates in houston can help reduce your electricity bills by as much as seven percent a year.
Turn Down Your Thermostat
Whether you have a manual or a programmable one, turning your thermostat down by just a few degrees can help you save money. That’s because less energy is used when your house is at a lower temperature, so you don’t have to pay as much. If you turn your home’s temperature down by 7 to 10 degrees for about 8 hours daily, you can save up to 10% on your energy bills. It is enough to pay for a new washing machine or a kettle. Lowering your home’s temperature is easy. Just consult your thermostat’s user manual for detailed instructions. Most models have arrow buttons that increase and decrease your desired temperature. You can also use a programmable model to set specific schedules for when you are at home, asleep, or on vacation.
In addition to lowering your thermostat, make sure your home is well-insulated. It will keep heat from escaping and prevent your pipes from freezing. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t lower your thermostat below 55 degrees during winter. It can cause your pipes to freeze, a dangerous and expensive problem. Fortunately, the PS400 energy rebate and the one-off payment announced in the Autumn Statement can help reduce the cost of heating your home.
Make Sure Your Attic is Insulated
A well-insulated attic is one of the most cost-effective home improvements. Without it, your heating and cooling systems must work harder to maintain comfortable temperatures in your house. It’s because your attic’s lack of insulation allows hot or cold air to leak through, forcing your HVAC system to work harder than necessary to maintain a suitable temperature throughout the rest of the house. With an insulated attic, you can save on energy bills, make your house more comfortable and increase its resale value. The process isn’t complicated, but it is best left to professionals. Wearing protective clothing, including gloves, long sleeves, and safety glasses, is necessary before insulating your attic since fiberglass insulation contains microscopic glass fibers that irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs. You should also remove recessed lights before adding insulation around them, and ensure that any exposed wiring is IC-rated (insulation contact). Fiberglass batts, cellulose, mineral wool, cotton, and closed-cell foam are a few of the insulation options available. It is essential to consult a professional to find the best type of insulation for your house and the climate in which you live. Ensure you do not place any insulation over knob and tube wiring, which is still used in some older homes and should be removed as it poses a fire hazard.
Turn Off Your Water Heater
As prices for energy increase across the country, people are looking for ways to cut their bills. One of the most popular tips is to turn off your water heater when not using it. But does this help save energy? Turning off your water heater at night can help you save three to five percent on your energy bill. It is because a small amount of heat escapes from your water heater even when it is turned off. But this amount of heat needs to be more significant to make a difference in your energy costs. The other reason to turn off your water heater is to save money on reheating your water when needed. It is because it takes a lot of energy to heat water from cold. But there need to be more significant savings to justify the hassle of switching your water heater on and off each day. Many people also switch off their water heater on vacation to save money. But there are better ideas than this because it can cause damage to your water heater. Instead, consider installing a water heater timer so your hot water is always available when needed. Some water heater timers can be controlled from a smartphone and even alert you to high energy usage during peak hours.