These Simple, Inexpensive Tips Can Save You Money on Energy

Monthly bills are never fun to open, but few make you worry about your energy costs. It’s easy to lose track of how long your air conditioner ran or your lights last month, but your utility company never forgets, and the price you see when you open your bill might surprise you.

The average monthly electricity bill in the United States was nearly $137, according to the Energy Information Administration. And while your energy costs may seem unavoidable, there are actually things you can do to reduce your bill. With a few simple changes, it is possible to significantly reduce your electricity bill.

“For the average person in the average home, spending about $50 and a few hours to block drafts can reduce your bills by up to 20 percent over the year,” according to Vernon Trollinger of Texas Electricity Ratings. “But if you take the time to identify how you currently use energy and how your home manages it, and then change your usage habits, you can reduce your annual costs by about 50%.”

Here are some ways to save money on energy without breaking the bank.

Why saving energy is important right now

There’s no bad time to save money, but with prices rising across the board for many basic needs, it’s more important than ever to cut back where you can. Recent indicators suggest that the price of electricity is increasing nationally.

In a recent CNET survey, 78% of Americans said they were stressed about high energy bills. A majority of Americans, 70%, said they are taking steps to make their homes more energy efficient.

By taking a few simple steps to save energy at home, you can take better control of your finances. Taking energy-saving measures can help your household withstand economic pressures and contribute to a broader goal of reducing environmental impact.

Inexpensive ways to save energy

There are some simple steps you can take to reduce your monthly energy bill. These small changes and affordable investments can lead to savings that add up throughout the year and beyond.

Adjust your thermostat

One of the easiest ways to save money on your electric bill is to adjust your thermostat to run your heating and cooling cycles less often. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends raising your thermostat to between 7° and 10°F for 8 hours a day, usually when you’re away from home. This can save up to 10% per year on your bills, according to the agency.

“Very few people notice when the temperature in a room is 72°F or 78°F. What they notice is the humidity,” Trollinger said. “By increasing the thermostat setting during the day to 78°F or even 80°F if you are away, you will significantly reduce your energy consumption, among other things.” Although there is an initial investment, purchasing a programmable or smart thermostat will make this change easier.

Turn things off

Another easy way to reduce your electricity costs is to simply unplug appliances when not in use. This is especially true for older devices that are more susceptible to “phantom loads” where they run electrical cycles similar to those they would see in use.

“Energy vampires” like computer equipment or televisions can be unplugged when not in use for minimal inconvenience, while reducing unnecessary electricity consumption.

Get insulated curtains

You know, sitting in the sun makes you hot. The same goes for your home. If you leave your blinds open to let the sun in, you’re also letting the heat in, which can cause your air conditioning to turn on to counter it. One way to prevent this from happening is to purchase insulated curtains, preferably ones that cover the ceiling all the way to the floor.

“Insulated curtains are the best way to keep sunlight out and warm your rooms in winter and trap the cold against your windows in winter,” Trollinger said. “In the summer, you want to block sunlight from your south, southwest, and west-facing windows. In a pinch, a few sheets will even do the trick.”

Try other cooling options

Your air conditioning unit isn’t the only way to regulate the temperature in your home. In addition to controlling the heat of the sun, you can also rely on devices that use less energy to keep you cool.

“Run a dehumidifier instead of turning on the air conditioner. They use less energy,” Trollinger explained. “And even if they give off some waste heat, it won’t be enough to significantly heat your home.” This also has the added benefit of helping your air conditioning run more efficiently when you need it to, because, according to Trollinger, “air conditioners don’t work efficiently if they can’t remove water vapor from the air before cooling it.

You can also run a ceiling fan, which won’t necessarily cool your house but will make you feel cooler, meaning you won’t have to run your air conditioning and can potentially raise your thermostat because you can stay indoors. comfortable in warmer temperatures. That said, make sure to turn off your fan when you’re not using it.

A longer-term solution suggested by Trollinger: plant trees and get shade. Shading your roof and preventing the sun from heating it can reduce the feeling of heat in your home during the summer.

Time your use of appliances

Running your appliances can add heat to your home, so if you run them on a hot summer day, you could be contributing to excess heat that your air conditioning unit will have to counteract.

“Drying clothes, cooking, running the dishwasher — all of these will reject more heat into your living space and make your air conditioning run longer and cost you more,” Trollinger said. If you can operate these devices at night, you will reduce the heat load during the hottest parts of the day. You’ll also potentially avoid running your appliances during peak hours, when electricity costs may be higher.

Seal air leaks

Have you ever felt a draft in your house even though your windows and doors are closed? You could experience air leaks, which can affect the temperature of your home and ultimately lead to increased energy consumption. Gaps around windows, doors, and even electrical outlets can allow hot or cold air to escape.

“The change in temperature causes doors and windows to move. Sometimes you just have to misalign a door or window so it doesn’t close properly and poof, there’s a draft,” Trollinger said .

You can use weather stripping, caulking, or vent sealants to prevent air leaks. It’s a quick fix you can do yourself, inexpensive, and keeps the conditioned air where it belongs, making your heating and cooling more efficient.

Change filters and maintain your appliances

You probably know that you should perform regular maintenance on your appliances, but here’s another incentive to do so: it just might reduce your electricity bill. Start by checking the air filter in your home’s HVAC system.

“When the filter becomes clogged, your HVAC runs longer. This increases your energy usage and you pay more,” Trollinger said. “Be sure to change the filter regularly with the type recommended by the manufacturer. Just set a reminder on your phone to do so.”

It is important to check your other appliances as well. Check if your refrigerator is working properly or if it is constantly running and increasing your electricity costs. Check your air conditioning system for coolant leaks. You can check if your heating system has burnt out heating elements, making heating less efficient. Just check that everything is up to date, as any inefficiencies will show up on your energy bills.