Are you tired of opening up your monthly electric bill and seeing how much you owe? Are you looking for a few ways to help cut your costs each month? By taking a few simple steps, you should be able to see a noticeable difference in your electric bills each month.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
So much of our electricity is wasted heating or cooling our homes for no one. When your home is empty, there is no reason to have it heated or cooled to the temperatures you prefer when you are home. By installing a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the temperature of your home when you’ll be gone to more energy-efficient settings. For example, if you normally cool your home to 72 degrees in the summer, you can use your programmable thermostat to up the setting to 78 degrees during the times you won’t be home. You can also set the thermostat to bring the temperature back down to 72 degrees shortly before you’ll be getting home. This website from The Department of Energy helps explain more information about how a programmable thermostat can help you save energy.
Have Solar Panels Installed
When you install solar panels on your rooftop, you can harness the power of the sun to reduce your electric bills. When you have solar panels installed, they can help make a drastic difference in your electrical bills. Over just a few years, you’ll be amazed with how much money you’ve been able to save. Plus, when you use solar panels, you can feel good about your decision since they are a renewable source of energy. If you are interested in having solar panels installed on your roof, a company like Solar Power Gem Energy Brisbane can help you learn more and get started.
Switch to LED Lights
LED light bulbs consume much less energy than halogen, incandescent, and compact fluorescent options do. By changing all the bulbs in your house to LED bulbs, you will save a little bit each month.
Ensure All Your Doors and Windows are Properly Sealed
Heating or air conditioning your house costs enough, so don’t waste more electricity by letting heat or air escape through improperly sealed doors or windows. When hot or cold air is escaping, the outside air is also seeping in. This makes your HVAC unit work harder to heat or cool your home.
Purchase Appliances that are Energy Efficient
Energy-efficient appliances earned their name for a reason. They require less energy to operate than standard appliances do. Since they use less energy, you won’t be spending as much each month to run them.
Hang a Clothesline in Your Backyard
Dryers use a lot of energy. Save some money by purchasing a clothesline. When the weather permits, hang your clothes up outside and let them air dry. You can also purchase indoor clotheslines or drying racks if it isn’t possible for you to hang your laundry outside.
Install Dimmer Switches
When you have dimmer switches installed in your home, you have control over how bright the lights are. By turning your lights on and setting them to a less-bright setting than normal, you’ll be able to consume a little less energy each month.
Use Fans
Fans can help save money in two ways. First, they’ll help keep air circulating around your home which can make it so your HVAC system doesn’t need to work quite as hard. Fans can also keep you cooler, so you may be able to adjust your thermostat up a few degrees and save money that way.
Unplug Electronics When Not in Use
You may not realize that your electronics that are powered off but still plugged into the wall are still using some electricity. Rather than letting them waste electricity for nothing, unplug your devices when you are finished using them. You can also plug things into a surge protector and just shut off the surge protector when they aren’t in use.
Schedule a Yearly HVAC Tune-Up
Having a local heating and cooling company come to service your HVAC unit can help you save money as well. A tune-up helps to ensure your unit is performing at its peak levels and not using any extra energy. Plus, a tune up can catch potential problems with your unit and you’ll be able to get them repaired before a small issue turns into a big, expensive problem.
As you can see, by making just a few simple changes to your home and lifestyle you can save a lot on your electrical bills each month. Some of the solutions above are quick fixes which won’t cost much. Other options will be investments initially, but you’ll be able to enjoy the electrical savings for years to come!
