Are you tired of looking at sky-high bills, and you’re asking yourself, “Do I know how to save money on my electric bill?” Electric prices keep increasing, and the only realistic way to cut costs is to reduce our use.
So it’s time to look for simple ways to reduce your electricity usage around the house. The best part is that it is good for the environment, too. In this article, we’ll provide you with 10 tips on how to save electricity at home and answer some common questions about electricity usage.
Turn off Lights When You Leave a Room
I’ll start with the easiest solution here. Whenever you turn your lights and television off when you leave a room, it can save you a ton of money over time. Encourage everyone in your household to flip the light switch off whenever they walk out of a room.
In our house, we’ve taken it a step further. We installed motion lights that turn on when you enter a room and turn off when you leave the room. As an extra bonus, it really impresses our guests!
This works great in the kitchen, living room, hallways, and other common areas. I suggest that you do not use these in bathrooms (they are inconvenient when you are taking a shower).
I also recommend leaving them out of the bedroom as a roaming dog or cat may accidentally wake someone up.
Switch to LED Lights
You can save a decent amount of money on electricity by switching to LED lights. According to the US Department of Energy, LED lights can save you a minimum of 75% of electricity when compared with incandescent lighting.
The DOE says they also last a lot longer than traditional bulbs – in fact, they last as much as 25 times longer! That is a huge saving all around.
LED lights used to be a lot more expensive than incandescent lights, but costs have come down. Contact your local electric company and see if they offer a discount on LED light bulbs.
Use Power Strips
You’ve probably already heard this, but appliances and electronics can still use power even when they are off. These are called “vampire” loads”. Honestly, I was skeptical, but it is true! One way that you can save money is to plug multiple appliances into a power strip, so you can turn them off all at once. Best of all, you can turn them all on with a flip of one switch.
When you use a power strip for multiple appliances, plug in big energy users like your TV, your cable box, and your computer. Each of these uses a lot of energy, even when they are not turned on. A power strip can help you save a lot of money over the long turn when you remember to turn it off.
Best of all, if you buy a power strip with a built-in surge protector (and I recommend that you do), you will be protected from high-voltage strikes. This means that your devices will be protected in case of lightning strikes and other power surges. Honestly, I have lost a computer monitor and a router to a power surge during a lightning strike, so I do highly recommend surge protectors.
Note: Make sure that you don’t use a power strip on important appliances like clocks, freezers, refrigerators, etc.
Use The Dishwasher
Washing dishes by hand versus using the dishwasher has been an ongoing debate for decades. It turns out that the dishwasher saves much more electricity and water than actually doing the dishes by hand.
It turns out that the Department of Energy recommends using a dishwasher over washing dishes by hand. Note that they do recommend using an ENERGY STAR-certified appliance. They also recommend not rinsing your dishes before loading the washer, loading properly, using eco-mode, air drying your dishes instead of using a high-temperature drying cycle, and using a rinse aid.
Wash Clothes in Cold Water
The simple act of heating up your water costs a lot more than you would think. It actually takes up a significant portion of your electricity usage, especially when it comes to doing laundry. We made a simple switch and wash our clothes in cold water. This one change has saved us a lot of money on our electric bill.
Our family has severe allergies, so we do wash our bedclothes in hot water. I also wash our towels in hot water too to protect against germs. We use cold water for everything else. This is our personal choice, but we have allergies, and this is important to us.
Use Natural Light
Natural light is a fantastic way to save on your electricity bill. After all, why pay for lighting when nature can take care of this for you? Open your curtains and blinds during the day to let in natural light and turn off the lamps to reduce your electricity usage. The reverse is true when it is cold and windy outside. During those times, use the curtains and blinds to shield you from the cold and wind.
Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances
We all dread the time that we need to buy new appliances. But when it’s time to make the purchase, look for new appliances that have the ENERGY STAR label. This means that they meet the energy-efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
This may mean that you spend a little more money at the beginning, but it can reduce your utility bill in the long run.
Seal Leaks and Drafts
The leaks and drafts around our doors and windows cost a lot more than we realize. A door that is left open too long lets out the heat and lets the air conditioning spill outdoors. Was my Dad the only one who would holler, “I’m not paying good money to air condition the entire neighborhood!”
I’m sure that I’m not the only one who had a draft under my door. A quick door draft stopper from the hardware store was very easy to install by the way. Or maybe you have a small leak around your windows. In fact, last year, I noticed that one of my windows wasn’t closed all the way. How much money did that cost me? I hate to even think about it.
By sealing drafts and leaks, you can reduce your energy usage and save money on your electric bill.
Use Dimmer Switches
Dimmer switches can help you save electricity by allowing you to control the amount of light in a room. It’s really nice to dim the lights at night when you are tired and are trying to decompress a little bit. Plus, you can cut down your utility costs at the same time. It’s the perfect combination to enjoy lower expenses on your utility bills, as well as a quiet evening at home.
Unplug Appliances When Not in Use
For smaller appliances that don’t need a power strip, consider unplugging them when they are not in use. This can also save more money on your electric bill. While appliances like your coffee pot and air fryer may not use a lot of electricity, they can add up over time. And let’s be honest, do you really use your air fryer every day?
And it is really no trouble to plug in the coffee pot in the morning. It only takes an extra minute or two to unplug the coffee pot, but you can take those savings to the bank.
How to Save Money on My Electric Bill: Frequently Asked Questions
Does unplugging appliances save electricity?
Yes, you really can save electricity by simply unplugging appliances when you are not using them. Appliances that are in standby mode may still use a small amount of electricity, so unplugging them can prevent them from using “phantom power” or “vampire power” and help you save on your electric bill. Over time, this money can add up.
Do dimmer switches save electricity?
Yes, dimmer switches can help you save electricity by allowing you to control the amount of light that is used in a room. When you lower the brightness of the light, it reduces the amount of energy that you are using. Plus, you also get to enjoy a cozy setting for a nice dinner or while getting ready to go to bed.
Do LED lights use a lot of electricity?
No, according to the Department of Energy LED lights use up to 75% less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs, making them a great choice. In turn, this lowers the amount of money that you spend on your utilities, thus saving you money on your electric bill. Plus, LED lights last longer than incandescent bulbs.
How to Save Money on My Electric Bill: Conclusion
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