There are always a few obvious things that you can do to lower your electric bill. Once you get rid of those items, it can be a struggle to find ways to keep your household going and lower your bills.
The good news is that there may be methods that you haven’t yet tried that could further lower your utility costs and increase the energy efficiency of your home.
The following suggestions can be used right now to help chip away at your household budget.
Let the Sun’s Heat into Your Home
Climate control can be very expensive throughout the year. Many people do not realize just how powerful sunlight can be. Let nature heat up your home by opening the blinds or curtains on windows that face the sun. This is a great way to save on heat during the day and can help lower your electric bill.
The opposite also works in the summertime. Instead of opening curtains and blinds, get blackout curtains and close them on the windows that face the sun. This will help maintain a cooler interior temperature without putting a strain on the air conditioners.
Unplug Anything That You Aren’t Using
Did you know that electronic devices continue to draw power, even when they aren’t turned on or are in idle mode? You are paying for energy that your family isn’t using for anything.
The best way to stop this problem is to unplug any devices that you can when they are not in use in order to lower your electric bill. That includes televisions, microwaves, computers, gaming consoles, and anything else that you can safely unplug.
Set Aside “No Electricity” Time
Plan a “no electricity” time with your family. This is a great opportunity to organize fun bonding activities and get the kids in on helping to lower your electric bill. You can have story time in the backyard, work on craft projects together, or just enjoy a good chat. No electronic devices should be used during each session. It’ll help reduce your energy consumption and give your family a chance to bond daily.
Use Timers to Turn Devices Off
Timers are a great way to control when your electricity is used. Some appliances stay on all the time, even when you are not using them like coffee makers. You can add a timer that plugs into the outlet that will automatically switch the outlet off – even if you aren’t home. This is an excellent way to lower your electric bill and stop appliances from wasting power.
Run Appliances When They Are Full
Don’t run appliances like dishwashers and washing machines unless they have a full load. You’ll get the same cleaning power but will end up doing fewer loads which will help lower your electric bill. Fewer loads will save on the cost of electricity and the cost of soap or detergent.
Switch to a Solar Water Heater
Find a reliable electrical company and make the switch to a solar hot water system. It’s good for the environment and will put a noticeable dent in your energy bills. If there’s not enough sun to heat the water they can still heat themselves like regular water heaters so you won’t get stuck having a cold shower. This is a great way to lower your electric bill.
Brighten Your Home with Solar Lights
Another easy and inexpensive way to lower your electric bill is with solar lighting. Outdoor models are affordable, come in many styles, and are simple to install. You can find wall-mounted versions or stake lights that you stick directly into your garden.
If you want to save money in your household budget, start by using these tips to lower your energy consumption.
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