How to cut down your electricity bills
It’s hard to ignore the increase in electricity prices that have been happening throughout the years. According to the US EIA (Energy Information Administration), average wholesale prices for electricity were higher in 2021 than in 2020. With this in mind, cutting down your electricity bills will help alleviate your financial burdens and help you save money in the long term.
Where do I start?
There are multiple approaches you can take to reduce your electricity bills. Some would require upfront investment and work done to save you money in the long term. Such as changing home appliances or the addition of a solar energy system. Other methods would also need you to change and adapt your lifestyle to become more energy efficient. There are plenty of options for you to take.
The first step is breaking down how much energy you are currently using through an energy audit. There are two ways to do an energy audit, on your own or with a professional. This audit looks at your current energy usage and identifies what needs to be changed. Finding professional help isn’t difficult. Try contacting your utility company, nonprofits, and even government organizations to provide free or reduced-cost audits. Once you have identified possible changes, you can start taking action.
Lifestyle Changes:
Changes to your habits and lifestyle can impact your electricity bills. The effects of these changes aren’t instant. But over the months or even years, you’ll be amazed at how much you can save.
Wearing the right clothes
You can start with the clothing you wear day-to-day. Try to match your clothing choice to the current season. Wearing the appropriate clothes for the temperature can help you reduce the need for your thermostat to work harder during summers and winters. Reducing the power it uses and saving you money in the long run.
Reduce your water use
Reducing the amount of water you use in general can lower your electricity bill. Water heating is the culprit, especially if your water heater is electric. Try to find ways to be much more efficient with your water usage around the household.
Use your appliances efficiently
Start planning out how to use your appliances at home much more efficiently. Switching off unused lights, TVs and appliances is straightforward, there are other ways to make the most out of your appliances. Try fully loading your dishwasher before running it, or dry all of your laundries in one go. Making the most out of each time you use an appliance means making the most of your power usage.
Home Improvements:
Even with lifestyle changes, you may still find issues in your electricity usage. Home improvements are needed to cut down on your electricity bill. Home improvements can be done through home maintenance and/or buying new appliances.
Home maintenance
Making sure your home is in its best state will improve your quality of life and help you cut down your electricity usage. Start with a thorough cleaning of your home and the appliances you have. Clean out all of the dust you see, especially in appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioning units. Replacing the filters in your heating and cooling system will help keep the air running smooth and reduce the power needed.
Check the sealing on your windows and doors and if needed, re-seal them. Keeping a good seal lets your thermostat work at its best and electricity from being wasted. During the winter, clean off the snow and ice on your windows to let the sun rays heat your home.
Insulation is another part of your home to have checked and replaced if needed. Check the insulation on and around the ducts in your home as well. Ducts impact the airflow throughout your home. Cleaning them out will also remove dust and improve the air quality in your home. Keeping them in good condition will also lighten the load on your thermostat.
New Appliances
Speaking of thermostats, you may want to look into programmable thermostats that connect your home heating and cooling. These smart thermostats can help you set the temperature in your house to your liking while being efficient with its electricity usage.
The next step would be changing other home appliances to energy-efficient ones. LED light bulbs use 75 percent less energy than regular incandescent bulbs and last longer. Smart power strips cut power to any idle appliances. When shopping around for appliances, it would be worth looking for Energy Star appliances. These appliances are government-certified for their energy efficiency. Efficient appliances use less power and save you money compared to inefficient ones.
Make the switch to solar energy
Switching solar energy is a great way to cut down on your electricity in the long term. Installing a solar energy system in your home requires investment, effort, and time. The benefits gained in the long term through solar energy will pay dividends in the long run. Generating your electricity will reduce or even eliminate the electricity you consume from the grid. With net metering, any extra electricity generated goes into the grid and is turned into credits with your utility company. Your credits will be used during rainy days or winter when your solar system isn’t generating enough power for your home. With this system, you will only be charged the net amount of energy you use from the grid.
With all of the information and options available, you will be able to start cutting down your electricity bill and saving your money. If you are interested in making the switch to solar energy. Our website has a free online estimate tool that generates a personalized report for you from a simplified questionnaire. That report will contain the potential savings you can net, and the cost of a solar energy system installed on your property. You can also contact us directly via phone +1 (602) 363-8919 or via email at Scott@elitesolarenergy.org for more information regarding solar energy for your property.