Most people use a lot of energy, making their utility bills extremely high. Here are easy ways to save on your energy bills and reduce your energy usage.
Do you feel like your energy bills keep getting more expensive? Do you dread opening it to see what your new total is each billing period? The average utility bill in the U.S. is about $112 with massive increases depending on where you live and what time of year it is.
If you’re interested in some simple updates, don’t ask, “what is a utility bill.” Ask instead what you can change to benefit your bank account. If you want to learn what you can do to save on your energy bills, this article is a must-read!
5 Easy Ways to Save on Your Energy Bills
It’s easy to say that upgrading your appliances to energy-efficient models and adding solar panels is the quickest way to affect your utility bills. But these massive upgrades aren’t always feasible. These easy ways will save you money, fast!
1. Lay Off the Thermostat
When we’re hot or cold inside our homes, it’s easy to walk over to the thermostat and adjust it to your comfort level. The further the internal and external temperatures are, the harder your HVAC system has to work through each season. You can save around 10% on your energy bill by adjusting your thermostat 7-10 degrees from your usual temperature choice.
2. Seal Up Your Home
Do you have any drafts coming in around your windows, doors, or other openings in your home? The EPA states that efficiently sealing your home can save you around 11% on average when you seal your home. Adding caulk or weatherstripping is an easy way to seal your home, and you can do it yourself!
3. Change Your Filters Regularly
If your filters are clogged with dust, pet and human hair, and other particles, your HVAC will have to work harder every time it kicks on. Additionally, if you’re using subpar filters, an excess of particles could be leaching into your system and making it less efficient.
Custom made filters with a high minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) is a great way to capture as many particles as possible to keep your air clean and your AC system running efficiently.
4. Shield Your Home From the Sun
In the summer, if you have a lot of windows that get direct sunlight, you could be letting a lot of excess heat into your space. If you have blinds, consider adding secondary curtains that can reduce the heat allowance into your home.
Additionally, during the colder months, try to keep your blinds open to use the sun’s power to your benefit and lower your utility bills. Keeping them open during the day and then closing them at night could make your furnace more efficient.
5. Watch Your Water Use
Water is a resource that many people overlook when discussing energy usage. Your water heater uses excessive energy throughout the year to give you comfortable bathing, cleaning, and drinking water.
Long, hot showers are a luxury, but they could be raising your energy bill by around 12%. Encourage your family to take shorter showers, wash your clothes in cold water, and watch your energy bill start to dip quickly!
Where to Start
Is your head spinning with all the potential areas you could start saving money on your energy bill? Start by picking one or two areas you can easily adjust your usage and add on additional money-saving tips as you see fit. Is your head spinning with all the potential areas you could start saving money on your energy bill? Start by picking one or two areas you can easily adjust your usage and add on additional money-saving tips as you see fit. In addition to these measures on how to save on your energy bills, you can also opt for a cheaper and better electricity provider to reduce your energy costs. Consider looking for the most affordable providers available in your area. Energy comparison sites such as Electricityrates.com gives you a great chance to compare electric providers’ prices in your area and select the plan that suits your preferences by simply inputting your Zip code. For example, if you live in CT and would like to compare rates, click here.
Your energy bills don’t have to be scary! Small steps and changes every day will make a big difference over time!
Check out my blog to learn more about the things that matter most and discover how you can become a game-changer, too!