Are you sick of emptying your pockets to pay the electricity bill? Well, we don’t blame you! Paying for that blessing, we know as electricity, can require you to pay quite a hefty sum of money. However, there are ways you can save $$$ on your bills, and this article is going to be all about them!
Before we get into individual tips and tricks on how to save money on your electricity bills, a good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that deal with the biggest electricity hogs at home first. By this, we mean that appliances that are likely to use most of the electricity should be dealt with first so that you can ensure that you are making a tangible difference to your electricity usage.
But more of that down below – keep scrolling to learn 8 of the best hacks to save money on your electricity bill.
1. Dial down the thermostat
For most of us, sleeping at night in a slightly chilly room is the definition of a perfect end to the day.
However, turning your thermostat up during the night can cause your electric bills to considerably increase! It is better to dial down your thermostat at night. And the thing is since it is cooler outside at night than in the day, you don’t even need the thermostat turned all the way up.
Even a little bit of energy can cool the house down for a really long period of time, so you don’t have to worry about compromising your comfort.
2. Revamp the AC
Did you know that your AC, like just about everything else in your house, needs regular maintenance? It is very important to change your furnace filter – an old, overused filter is not only a health hazard but can also cause serious damage to the heating/cooling system of your entire house.
In addition, an old filter uses more energy to work, which means extra dollars on your bill! So, something as minuscule as changing your filters regularly can really allow you to make considerable cuts on your total electricity budget.
3. Unplug the unnecessary
Yes, you heard that right!
If you are not using an electrical appliance, it is better to unplug it. Americans waste more than $50 every single year on appliances they don’t even use! This is because of something called “standby power,” which means that even if you are not using an appliance (such as your DVD player, that extra TV in your attic, your charger even you aren’t charging anything), you are still wasting energy.
Basically, just have a look around the house and unplug anything you haven’t used in a few weeks. Believe it or not, it really will help you save a few bucks off your overall budget.
4. Say no to hot water
Don’t worry, this is not in reference to your showers (who doesn’t love a hot shower?!) – we are talking about your electric washers. Don’t use hot water in your washers, because firstly: it is bad for your clothes.
Secondly, hot water can’t really get rid of the germs. And thirdly, heating your washing machine by using hot water to do laundry is one of the most expensive mistakes you are making. Stop doing this, and watch your expenses dwindle.
5. Switch off the lights
This one’s pretty obvious, but if you are not using your lights, switch them off!
Whenever you leave your house, make sure that all the lights in all the rooms are turned off. Something as trivial as leaving one of the lights in one of the rooms switched on can prove to be a disaster to your electrical bill. Avoid that and make it a habit for yourself to check the lights before you go anywhere!
6. Do you really have to use a dishwasher?
Probably yes. At least to wash your dishes properly. But do you really have to use a dishwasher to dry your dishes? The answer is no! Heat drying your dishes in an electric dishwasher is not the best move – it is unnecessary and will cost you money. Instead, just let your dishes sit out in the air, and voila! You’re good to go.
7. LED for days
Many people think that LED lighting and bulbs are more expensive than incandescent lighting – but that’s simply not true. LED bulbs use a lot less energy than incandescent bulbs, and hence, are a more affordable choice.
In fact, switching to LED bulbs can essentially save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars! What else could you possibly want?
Therefore, one of the best decisions you can make when it comes to reducing your electrical bills is switching to LED bulbs and getting rid of those astonishingly expensive incandescent lights.
8. Fans can be your best friends
On a sweltering hot summer day, we all want to give our air conditioners a nudge and cool down that way. However, using ACs can dramatically increase your electric bills.
So, if it’s just the start of the summer season or you live in an area where summers aren’t all that unbearable, try to beat the heat with the help of a fan instead of an air conditioner. Fans can make a room feel 10 percent cooler – and only uses a small amount of energy in comparison to an AC!
Summing it up
These are the top hacks you can use if you are planning on saving money and decreasing the cost of your electricity bills.
Remember: the key to reforming your budget lies in researching! Always stay on top of what appliances use what kind of energy, so that you can have an idea of where to save and cut down on your usage.
Additionally, make it a habit to check your appliances regularly and identify any areas for cutdowns accordingly.
It may sound like hard work, but ultimately these little things can help you save a lot of money. So, bookmark this article and use these hacks as a checklist to cut down on your electric costs!
