Can I figure out how to lower my electric bill? If you find yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. Times have been financially tough for many, so finding ways to save money is a top priority. What’s more, there are a variety of reasons you may have seen an increase in the cost of electricity — from global warming causing extreme weather (which in turn has you cranking up the heat or AC) to remote working and homeschooling (which have kept many folks at home using more electricity) — your wallet could probably use a break.
Becoming more energy-efficient and reducing your electric bill could be one of the better ways to ease your budget. Along with saving money on your electricity bills, you’ll also be doing your part to help the planet by reducing the carbon footprint caused by your energy consumption. Let’s dig into some great ideas that can help lower your electric bill sooner than later.
Which Appliances Do I Consider When Determining How to Lower My Electric Bill?
Some things cost more to power than others. Major appliances are obvious culprits, but your heating and cooling system typically has the most significant impact at 55%.
Next up are water heaters — consuming a whopping 30%!
Appliances, lighting, and electronics fall in line behind those and make up for the rest of your household consumption.
Do you have a pool in the yard? A swimming pool can account for more than 50% of the energy consumption in a residential home.
While it’s not realistic to stop using your heater or AC unit when needed, it’s worth reviewing how you use these larger appliances. Perhaps you can adjust your energy consumption habits or even invest in more energy-efficient options. (More on this in a bit.)
Why Are My Energy Bills Increasing?
Projections suggest that residential electricity rates will rise by 1.3% between 2021 and 2022 in the United States.
Due to global warming, severe weather could be one cause, which is why it’s increasingly important to focus efforts on renewable energy projects.
The coronavirus pandemic, which resulted in many people staying home, could be another. Likewise, both businesses and employees have realized that there’s an upside to remote working — it very well could become the new normal.
Finally, rising fuel prices are another contributor.
Want to Know How to Reduce Your Electric Bill Without Breaking the Bank? Try These 7 Ideas
Don’t worry if you keep wondering, “How do I lower my electric bill without spending a fortune upfront?” There are numerous things you can do to lower your electricity usage and reduce your energy costs. And the good news is they don’t have to break the bank or be difficult to implement.
Simple lifestyle adjustments and minor changes around the house can make a serious impact on the amount you end up paying for electricity every month.
Here are seven ideas that are easy and affordable to consider when you’re asking yourself how to reduce your electric bill.
1) Get an Energy Audit
Did you know that many electricity companies will come out and do an energy audit on your home free of charge? If your utility company doesn’t offer such a service, you can hire an energy audit company; the cost of the audit, if not free, will depend on the size of your home.
Is it worth it to get an energy audit? Absolutely; here’s why:
- They’re often free, or the fee is built into your energy bill (so you might as well take advantage).
- An audit will find problem areas in your home that are wasting energy and costing you money.
- You could significantly lower your electricity bills by implementing suggested home improvements.
Look to your state or local energy or weatherization office — they may be able to help you find a company or organization that will do it.
2) Switch to Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
The upfront cost of energy-efficient light bulbs may be a bit higher than regular light bulbs, but the savings on your electric bill combined with the added lifespan of your bulbs will make the added cost well worth it.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save around $225 a year by replacing your bulbs with energy-efficient alternatives, making this an easy, affordable fix.
Be sure to check out this guide to the different types of light bulbs before you start shopping.
3) Tweak the Temperature on Your Thermostat
What if you could tweak your thermostat just a smidge and significantly lower your energy bills? You can — by about 10% — according to Energy Saver.
A programmable thermostat or smart thermostat will help you achieve this effort by automatically adjusting the temperature according to the time of day. Whether you’re sleeping or away at work, lowering temps during these times can make a big difference.
4) Change Your Laundry Habits
There are dozens of things you can do to save energy when doing laundry. For instance, only do laundry when you have a full load to put in the washing machine, and use cold water to clean your clothes. (Don’t worry — your laundry will still be clean and fresh!)
Rather than using the dryer, line dry your laundry instead. As an added benefit to cost savings, you’ll enjoy the fresh scent of laundry dried naturally with the wind and sun, and you’ll be contributing to energy savings.
5) Plug Appliances and Electronics Into Power Strips
Did you know that when your appliances are plugged in, they’re always using electricity? Phantom loads, sometimes called a “vampire draw,” pull electricity even if the items plugged in are in standby mode or turned off.
Unplugging and plugging in appliances and electronics every time you use them can become a real pain in the neck. But there’s an easy remedy for this situation. By plugging your things into a power strip or surge protector, you can simply switch the button off when the items are not in use to save energy.
6) Clean or Replace Air Filters
Cleaning and replacing air filters in your HVAC system is such an easy, inexpensive DIY project that you can do on a monthly (clean) and quarterly (replace) basis — and it will save you money. Because your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard, energy consumption will be reduced.
7) Turn Off the Air Conditioner and Use Your Ceiling Fans Instead
Whenever possible, opt for fresh air and ceiling fans over air conditioning.
Of course, there are some areas and seasons in Texas when that is nearly impossible. Still, in the spring, early summer, and fall months, you can open the windows, let in the fresh air, and allow your more cost-effective ceiling fans to do the work of keeping you cool.
Don’t miss this ultimate guide to ceiling fans for more useful tips.
Can I Invest in Home Improvements to Reduce My Energy Bills?
You bet you can. Home improvements can go a very long way toward mitigating your energy usage and lowering your electricity costs. And, as a bonus, they’ll increase your property value.
While the initial investment in home improvement projects can be substantial, in the long run they can be very cost-effective when it comes to energy savings and lowering your electric bill.
Here are seven things you can do to help reduce your energy bill sooner than later.
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1) Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
That old refrigerator that your parents handed down could be costing you big time. In fact, according to Energy Star, that bill could be as much as $300 a year!
Washing your dishes by hand or using an old dishwasher? Here’s an interesting tidbit: Hand-washing is actually less energy-efficient and wastes more water.
Investing in a newer Energy Star–rated dishwasher is a good way to go, and will be just an average of $35 per year to run.
Now let’s talk laundry: Energy Star–rated washing machines use about 25% less energy and water. And did you know that clothes dryers account for about 6% of residential energy consumption in the United States?
Switching to an Energy Star-certified dryer could save you about $245 a year.
Letting go of the old and investing in new, energy-efficient kitchen and laundry room appliances can save you a bundle in the long run.
2) Install Ceiling Fans
At an average cost of $250 for both parts and labor, ceiling fans can be a bit of an upfront investment. Still, with ceiling fans throughout the house, you’re sure to save a bundle on your electricity bills just by turning off the AC.
Too big of an upfront cost? Start with the rooms you use the most, like the living room and bedroom.
3) Insulate the Attic, Walls, and Any Other Areas in Need
To maximize your energy savings, you should insulate your home from top to bottom. From the rooftop to the attic, exterior walls, basement, and the foundation of your house, insulation is needed throughout.
Insulating your home will be a big job, but it will also result in considerable savings. How much? The EPA suggests about 15% per year, depending on the climate where you live.
4) Replace Your Old Water Heater or Insulate It
According to Energy Saver, for households that use under 41 gallons of hot water a day, on-demand water heaters can save 24-34% on energy use compared to traditional water heaters.
Tankless, on-demand water heaters that run on gas can save homeowners more than $100 a year.
Try insulating instead if it’s just not in the budget to replace your old-school tank water heater. Energy Saver says this measure can prevent heat losses by 25-45% and save you about 7-16% in water heating costs.
Another good measure is to place a programmable timer on your water heater so that it only runs when it’s in use — for example, in the morning when you need hot water for taking a shower and in the evening for doing the dishes and bathing the kids. During off-peak hours, cold water should serve just fine for other household needs such as laundry and cleaning. A timer on your water heater can save you about 25% per year on water heating costs.
5) Upgrade Your HVAC System to an Energy Star-Certified Unit
Although it’s a significant investment, upgrading your HVAC system can save you a lot of money on your utility bills, but also on repairs as old systems tend to begin struggling, and the repair costs can get high.
The amount of energy savings can be substantial. For example, a modern HVAC system can lower your energy consumption by about 20%, so your energy costs will decrease, saving you money.
When searching for the most-effective, energy-efficient unit, look for the Energy Star label and a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER).
6) Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping will block drafts throughout your house, as well as prevent warm air from seeping out and cold air flowing in. Keep in mind the principle of heat — it always flows from warm to cold. As such, you’ll want to block it from getting in when you have the air conditioning on or going out (when you want to stay cozy and warm inside). The result? You’ll save big on heating costs.
By sealing your doors, windows, and other air-leakage spaces, you’ll save energy in the summertime too! Running the air conditioner is expensive; sealing the cracks will help keep that cold air indoors and the outdoor heat from edging its way indoors, thereby lowering your cooling costs.
Which areas should you target for this weatherproofing project?
- Exterior doors
- Interior doors leading to the garage (or other areas that are not air-conditioned)
- Attic entryways (the biggest culprit for air leakage)
- Windows (including sliding glass doors)
There are many different weatherstripping materials, and some are more beneficial to specific areas than others. If you’re uncertain, ask a service rep at your local hardware store.
For more tips, don’t miss our guide to seasonal energy savings.
7) Install Dimmer Switches
Not only can you create some peaceful ambiance in your home by installing dimmer switches, you can also save energy. By lowering the amount of light you’re using in a room, you use less energy to power the lightbulb. It seems so simple, and it is!
Dimmer switches cost more than regular light switches at an average of $10-$25 per switch (though there are higher-end, more expensive switches on the market). Also, unless you’re an electrician or the DIY type, you’ll likely need to hire a professional to install them.
If that sounds expensive, start with a few main rooms, such as the living room, dining room, and master bedroom. Then, as you’re able, swap out others.
While hiring an electrician and replacing your regular light switches with dimmers is a bit of a hefty price tag, the savings can be significant at roughly 40% over time if you dim the lights to 50% of their average brightness. The bonus? Your bulbs will also last longer.
There Are Many Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill
Figuring out how to reduce your electric bills doesn’t have to be an impossible feat. If you’ve got the budget, home improvements can go a very long way toward saving money on energy bills in the long run.
However, you can still do a lot to control your energy consumption and lower your bills by making some small, inexpensive adjustments to your daily habits and lifestyle.
Likewise, you should examine your current energy contract to see if you’re getting the best energy plan possible. If not, consider switching to a provider that will give you a better deal and use renewable energy sources that are both good for your wallet and the planet.
Brought to you by energysavings.com
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