On average, residential customers in the U.S. pay $115 per month for their energy bills. Paying this amount can be a challenge for some, leading to stress, depression, and even debts.
Skyrocketing energy bills can significantly affect the quality of your life, which is why you should look for strategies to keep your electric bills to a minimum. Once you save money from your energy bills, budgeting, saving, and investing will come off easier.
Follow these tips so you can save on energy bills without compromising comfort:
Set Your Thermostat
Your thermostat affects the comfort of the household as it maintains the temperature indoors to create a comfortable environment. With this device, you can easily control the temperature inside your home and provide the best temperature to the household all year long.
One of the easiest ways to save on energy bills is to pay attention to your thermostat. One rule of thumb to follow when setting your thermostat is to turn it to 68 degrees when you’re at home and drop the setting when the family leaves the house during the day.
Turning down the temperature of your thermostat by at least 10 degrees before leaving the house and maintaining that setting for eight hours can help you save around 5% to 15% on your heating bills annually. Turning down your thermostat will also give your refrigerator and freezer as these devices won’t have to work as hard in colder temperatures, resulting in more energy savings.
Turn Off Lights And Appliances When Not In Use
One habit many are guilty of is keeping lights and appliances turning on even when not in use, as turning them off and then on again is inconvenient. Why bother turning off your computer and printer when you’re going to use it after taking a shower, right?
To save money on energy bills, always switch off lights and other appliances when not in use. Generally, you should turn off all appliances when you leave the house and go to bed or when you take short breaks. It means turning off all of your heating and cooling units, as well as your computer, printers, and Wi-Fi routers when no one is using them.
Switch To LED Light
Lighting fixtures are vital in every home. They influence the safety of the household and the security of your property. However, if you want to save on energy bills, you should pay attention to the bulbs you’re using so you can experience benefits without breaking the bank.
LED or light-emitting diode lights are more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs because these use less power and last longer. By using it in your home, you can save up to 80% off your lighting costs.
LED lights are also eco-friendly. They cause lesser damage to the environment and use less energy during production. Unlike traditional bulbs, LED lights don’t emit heat or ultraviolet emissions, keeping your indoors cooler.
Close Curtains And Shut Doors
Who says you have to compromise comfort to save on energy bills? Closing your curtains and shutting your doors are simple habits that can go a long way in reducing energy bills.
To prevent the air produced by your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system from escaping outside, close your curtains and shut your doors during the colder months. It will prevent your HVAC system from working harder to keep your interiors warm, resulting in energy savings.
Closing curtains and shutting doors are also important during summer. During the warmer months, you need to close your curtains and shut the door during the day to prevent the sun’s rays from hitting your home. It can make your interiors feel hotter and cause you to use more appliances.
Put More Plants Around Windows
It’s common for homeowners to want things for their properties—some want to save money on energy bills while others want to beautify their spaces. If you have the same sentiments, start adding plants around your windows.
Indoor plants can help naturally shade the inside of your home, lessening the frequency of use of your appliances, namely fans and air conditioners. Plants can also keep the temperature indoors colder as they lose water during transpiration, leaving your indoor air fresher.
And because indoor plants come in different varieties, you can pick ones that suit the theme of your interiors. Some of the best low-maintenance houseplants you can place around your windows are Rhoeo, Coffee Arabica, Succulents, Cacti, and Bamboo.
Invest In Solar Energy
Paying for energy bills is a long-term responsibility, which is why you’ll likely look for long-term solutions. Spending hundreds of dollars every month on energy bills can be stressful, especially for individuals who have limited budgets.
If you want to save on energy bills for years, consider investing in solar energy. Solar energy powers your appliances by converting sunlight into electricity. Since you’ll be using a renewable energy source (the sun), solar energy will save you money as you won’t have to depend on energy providers for electricity.
Infographic Provided By Solar Panel Installation Company, Sunburst Solar
Purchase Energy-efficient Appliances
When buying appliances, you only pay attention to their features or appeal. If you want to save on energy bills, you also need to consider whether these appliances are energy efficient.
If using older appliances at home, it might be best to upgrade to energy-efficient ones. Appliances are responsible for up to 13% of your total household energy use, and continuing to use older models will likely cause your energy bills to increase over time.
Invest in appliances that have an Energy Star sticker. It signifies that the appliances have passed the energy-efficient guidelines set by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. It’s also important to check the Energy Guide labels to determine the energy consumption and how much you might pay for using it in a year.
Start To Make Changes
Now that you know how easy it is to save on energy bills, you can start using the tips in this article. The sooner you change your daily routine to accommodate energy-saving habits, the more money you can save long-term!
