4 Helpful Hacks to Reduce Your Energy Bill
“I don’t want to save any money!” said no one ever. Of course you want to cut back on your energy bill, and doing so may be simpler than you think. Here are four hacks you can implement immediately to see a lower energy bill next month.
Get a Power Strip (and actually use its switch)
Did you know that even when your electronics are turned off they are still using electricity? It’s true. In fact, by simply unplugging your electronic devices when you are not using them, you can save over $100 dollars per year. Of course, going around and unplugging every single electronic is time consuming, which is why power strips are so convenient. You can plug multiple items into one strip and turn them all off at once. Better yet, use a timer to turn it on and off for you.
Mind the Gaps
On average, fifteen percent of an electric bill is going towards air that escaped out of the gaps around the doors and windows of your home. So you kindly paid for this air to get perfectly chilled or heated, only to go right back where it came from. But windows and doors are not the only culprits of leaking air: Ductwork that is not properly sealed is another big offender, as is an attic that is not insulated. If you do have any unwanted airways surrounding the doors or windows, you can use caulking or weather stripping to seal them. And if your attic does not have insulation, you can save another 20% on your energy bill by adding it.
Insulate the Hot Water Heater
Your hot water heater is the sole source of keeping your water at a comfortable temperature for showers and hand washing, but if it is not insulated, it is working much harder than it needs to. By simply adding insulation around your hot water heater, you can help it retain the temperature much easier, which can cut an impressive nine percent off of your bill.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
A new programmable thermostat is an easy fix that can save you nearly $150 each year on your electric bill. By strategically setting the temperature to change based on when you are home and when you are away (works the best if you have a consistent work schedule), you can still come home to the perfect indoor temperature—you just won’t have to pay to keep it that way all day. And if your schedule ends up changing, you can easily override your pre-set temperatures with the push of a button. (Hint: For a short-term override, just push the arrow buttons to change the temperature. This override will only last until the next time zone in your presets. If you want to keep the new temperature longer, push the hold button. This keeps the new temp until you manually release the hold.)
By paying more attention to your energy usage, you can make a big difference on your electric bill. Every small change adds up to huge savings.
