8 Great Ways to Save On Your Electric Bill
Friday, July 27, 2018, 6:00 PM | Leave Comment
When making a budget, it can be easy to lose track of the small expenses that really add up.
While people often don’t take their electrical bill into consideration, there are a few easy things you can do to reduce your bill, and a few extra bucks a month can really add up.
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Use Energy Star Appliances
While there’s a bit more of an upfront cost springing for an Energy Star appliance, you should look for the yellow star whenever replacing or buying a new appliances. Their lower rate of energy usage can save a household an estimated $2000 a year.
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Unplug Your Electronics
Electronics are such an integral part of our lives that it can be easy to forget about them. Power strips are a great choice because they allow you to shut off multiple electronic devices at a time. Also keep an eye out for phone and laptop chargers.
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Be Smarter With Your Bulbs
All light bulbs aren’t created equally, and while the difference between a high-watt and low-energy bulb is small in the short term, it can save you over $100 over the course of a year. The slightly higher price of compact fluorescents is worth it.
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Watch Your Thermostat
There’s a science to making the most of a thermostat. While it may seem sensible to turn it off when you leave the house, you’ll end up spending more money due to the effort of cooling your house again when you return. As a general rule of thumb, turn your thermostat up four degrees when you leave to maximize your savings.
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Replace Your Air Filters Regularly
The dirtier your air conditioner’s filters get, the less efficiently your system runs. You should make a habit of replacing your filters once a month for cleaner air and more savings. Set a notification on your phone or computer to stay on top.
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Minimize the Work of Your A/C with Fans
While a fan alone probably isn’t enough to keep you cool in the hottest months of summer, it can be a great way to supplement the effort of your air conditioning system. It also costs significantly less to run. Consider running your A/C about two degrees higher and covering the difference with ceiling and standing fans.
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Be Mindful of Your Water Heater
If you have an electronic water heater, it could be sucking money right out of your pocket. Chances are that you only need hot water at certain times of the day, but keeping your water hot all day long is a constant drain on your energy usage. Installing an electronic timer on your heater gives you more control over when it keeps running.
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Sign Up For Smart Metering
Knowing where your energy goes is one of the best ways to figure out how you can save more money. Many utility companies offer smart metering services that give you a detailed understanding of your usage, and some of them even offer you discounts for signing up.
Any of these tips can help you save money on your energy bill, but used in tandem can drastically reduce your spending. The most important thing is to be more cognizant of how you use the energy in your home so that you can identify problems in your home.
Throw us a like at Facebook.com/doable.financeAbout the Author
Caryl Anne Crowne is a contributing writer and media specialist for Mr. Electric. She regularly produces content for a variety of lifestyle and home blogs, based around the transitional obstacles that come with purchasing, inspecting, and making a house feel like a home.
