The average American household spends roughly $183 per month on their electricity bill. This number can be lower or higher depending on location, size of the property, and can equal out to anywhere from $1000 to over $2000 per year.
For apartment owners, the estimated budget is around $200 per month.
You don’t have to stop watching TV or live outside to save on your electric bill. If you’re looking for ways to lower your electric bill, there are some easy and economical hacks you can do right at home.
7 Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill
Before you dive into ways to reduce your electric bills, consider calling your electric company to do an audit on your home. They will be able to pinpoint the areas where you may be able to save the most money.
You can also purchase an energy-monitoring device. Plug in the device and it reveals your biggest energy hogs via a smartphone app, so you can take steps to reduce your energy bills.
Don’t get bug-eyed the next time you open your electric bill. Try these DIY energy saving hacks and get a head start on lowering your electric bills.
Checking Your Insulation and Gaps
Having proper insulation and filling the gaps around windows and doors in your home is one of the best preventatives to keep cold and hot air in or out.
Solving this problem is fairly easy, by chaulking and weatherstripping, in addition to sprucing up your home with drapery or window treatments to block hot or cold air.
Check your insulation in your attic and other areas in your home to ensure it does not need to be replaced.
Use Energy Efficient Appliances
Energy efficient appliances live up to their name; they use energy more efficiently. If you’re needing to replace your appliances, consider giving these a look.
Even with a house full of energy efficient appliances, there are still energy-saving hacks that are valuable.
Washer and Dryer
Use warm or cold water in your laundry, as hot water uses more energy. Tossing a dry towel in the dryer with your wet load soaks up the excess moisture causing the dryer to run for a shorter period of time.
Don’t be concerned about hot water destroying germs, the dryer takes care of that!
For really hard-core energy savers, eliminate the dryer altogether and line dry your clothes.
Refrigerator
The refrigerator comes in second place behind the AC, using 13% of the energy in your home. Since it’s always on, the absolute best way to save energy in this area is to purchase an energy efficient model. Models older than 2001 used 1400kWt of energy compared to newer models, which use only 350kWt.
To get the most out of your energy-efficient fridge, set the refrigerator to 37 degrees Fahrenheit and 0 degrees Celcius. Clean coils on the fridge a few times a year to keep them in pristine condition and running efficiently. Clean the inside of the fridge often and do not overstock.
Dishwasher
Reduce your dishwashing to short cycles and wait until the load is completely full for caked-on dishes. Allowing dishes to air dry can save up to 50% electricity.
Run Appliances at Night
If you can, try using appliances at night. Energy rates are often lower during off-peak hours. Call your local electric company and ask about rates.
Keep Appliances in Tip-Top Shape
When appliances and other electronics need repair, you need a friendly repair company you can trust 24 hours a day, like Rytec Electric.
Install A Smart Thermostat
On average, replacing your thermostat with a smart thermostat can save you $131 or more per year.
Smart thermostats work with your heating and cooling system to keep your costs down. It basically does all the work for you. Most smart thermostats use Wi-Fi signal and provide an app to adjust your energy usage while you’re away.
Turning the thermostat down at night time can also save you money because it’s cooler outside. A good rule of thumb for summer and winter is to keep temperatures at 68 in the summer, and 72 in the winter.
Turn The Water Heater Down
The water heater is another energy sucker. Most water heaters are set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, but turning it down to 120 or lower, can reduce your electric bill.
A water heater jacket keeps your water insulated and toasty, so you can decrease your usage.
If you need to completely replace your water heater, consider going tankless.
Unplug Electronics
Even while they’re off, electronics are still using energy if they’re plugged in. When they’re not in use, unplugging them can lower your power bill.
And your parents were right – when you leave a room, turn off the lights.
Change Filters
Your A/C system needs to be properly maintained to run well. Continuing to let your furnace run with dirty filters could potentially damage the appliance. With a dirty filter, it cannot run well or must work harder, therefore using more energy.
Changing the filters at the beginning of fall and spring is the best way to ensure it’s working efficiently and protects your family from dust particles and allergens.
It’s wise to have it tuned up by an electrician during the fall and spring season before the extreme weather hits
Switch to LED Light Bulbs
LED light bulbs may cause sticker shock, but the average LED light bulb will last 25,000 hours (or approximately 20 years) compared to an incandescent light bulb which lasts 750 hours. Taking this into consideration and the energy savings of LED light bulbs, the initial cost is justified.
It’s Electric!
Trying to lower your electric bill doesn’t have to be hard. These seven ideas are simple and can often be done by yourself with little involvement from a professional or a high out-of-pocket cost.
By implementing these DIY hacks you could be on your way to having an extra $100 or even thousands of dollars in your pocket each year.
Start by choosing one or two of these hacks and breathe a sigh of relief when you open your next electric bill.
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