Ways to Lower Your Energy Bill
According to the Department of Energy, utilities continue to increase with the average American home spending $2,200 per year. Families are constantly finding ways to lower their bills and reduce their usage. This does not mean you have to cut off your heat and wear winter jackets inside during the winter or take ice baths during the summer. There are plenty of ways to maximize your utility use while keeping your bill low. Here are some tips below!
Use a Programmable Thermostat
People can’t seem to resist the urge to constantly turn up or turn down the thermostat depending on how they are feeling. This constant use of energy could be the reason your bill is so expensive. A programmable thermostat could ameliorate the situation. A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature depending on the time of the day; the device then will adjust the temperature of your home without you needing to do it manually. Not only is this more energy-efficient, but it will also save you a ton. Research the most cost-effective temperature setting, and adjust your thermostat to that temperature throughout the day during the times when you are not home. By the time you arrive home, the thermostat is at a preferred temperature without you having to adjust anything. Try this during your next billing cycle and look for a significant change in your upcoming utility bill.
Wash Your Clothes in Cold Water
Americans have very high hygiene standards compared to other countries. Unfortunately, those standards sometimes cost us way too much money to maintain. This includes the idea that we always need to wash our clothes in hot water. Using colder water is one of the best ways to cut costs and keep clean! Washing clothes in warm or cold water will cut your energy use by more than half. Your water heater has to work overtime when you wash your clothes in hot water. As long as you are using a powerful cleaning agent to wash your garments, you are not sacrificing on cleanliness! Warm or cold water will still very effective in cleaning your clothes while helping to reduce the amount of electricity.
Check Doors and Windows for Leaks
A great way to ensure that your house is properly insulated is to constantly check the seals of your doors, windows, refrigerators, and other appliances. Any cracks can allow cold air or hot air to escape which can cause a spike in your bill. The best thing to do is have all your doors, windows, and appliances weather-stripped, resealed and caulked as the season transitions. This allows you to give your home some upgrades while maintaining a low electricity bill.
Lower the Temperature on Your Water Heater
We underestimate the water heater and how essential it is in maintaining our daily home. A water heater’s function is to distribute hot water to our fridges, sinks, bathtubs, washing machines and dishwashers. Since it supplies to a large portion of the house, if left unmonitored, it can increase the water bill. Without forfeiting warm water, lowering your water heater by a few degrees can drastically reduce your water bill and energy usage. The default temperature of a water heater is set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Lowering this by just 10 degrees will cut nothing in water quality, and save in cost.
Switch Out Those Light Bulbs
Did you know that you could save at least 75 dollars a year all by just switching out your light bulbs throughout the year? Fluorescent and LED bulbs are labeled with an Energy Star logo. These bulbs are energy efficient and highly recommended to use in rooms where light is frequently used because they last longer and use less energy. For those worried about quality, they are just as good if not better.
Be sure to stop into one of our local branches so we can share some additional money-saving tips or answer any questions you may have!
