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How to Save Money on Your Electric Bill

As we all know, energy rates continue to increase every year making it harder and harder for the average consumer to keep up with rising costs. While the easiest way to reduce your energy costs is by simply not using it, that solution seems a bit unrealistic given today’s demands as well as our hot summer location here in the Central Valley.

Undoubtedly, energy cost pains are something all of us feel. So, if you feel like we do, here are some helpful tips to keep your energy bill under control.

Unplug the Vampires

• What is a vampire?
• Well, a vampire is any electronic device you keep plugged in while not in use.
• Examples of electronic vampires would be a television, laptop, game console, lamp, toaster, coffee maker, etc.
• Why are they called vampires?
• They are called electronic vampires because they continue to suck electricity regardless of whether or not they are in use and, thus, continue to contribute to your electric bill.
• While some devices, such as a television, may be difficult to unplug on a regular basis, doing so with some of the others mentioned above will do much to help save on costs.
• Remember, it’s these small efforts that can make a big difference in the long run.

Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

• You may not know this, but LED lighting products produce light up to 90% more efficiently than traditional, incandescent light bulbs.
• They are able to do this due to a technology which allows an electrical current to pass through a microchip, which illuminates a tiny light source called a “light emitting diode,” or LED, resulting in visible light.
• In addition to being able to produce 90% more efficiently than traditional light bulbs, LED lights can also last up to 25 times longer.
• By producing light more efficiently and lasting longer, this equates to less expense in purchasing product as well as a cost savings on your electric bill.
• You want to stretch your dollar even more?
• Then place a dimmer switch along with your LED lighting and add to your savings.

Run Your Appliances During Non-Peak Hours

• This is probably something we have heard multiple times, but convenience seems to trump what we know is best.
• Nonetheless, this is one of the most sure-fire ways to reduce your monthly utility bill.
• Why?
• Well, because power companies charge lower rates during times of the day when demand is lower.
• In addition to lower demand, electric companies prefer you utilize less electricity during peak hours due to the added pressure it places on power grids and supply.
• As such, non-peak hours generally are prior to 3:00 p.m. and after 7:00 p.m.
• In other words, avoid peak hours which generally last from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• This is usually the time when kids come home from school as well as adults from work and, of course, the first thing we do is turn on the lights, television, game consoles, ovens, stoves, etc.
• So, try doing your laundry at night and dishwasher in the morning, as it will assist in lowering that monthly bill.

Adjust Your Thermostat

• According to the Department of Energy, you can reduce electricity costs by as much as 10% annually by simply adjusting your thermostat.
• Specifically, adjusting your thermostat from its normal setting by seven to 10 degrees for eight hours each day can result in effective savings.
• So, for example, let’s say you like to keep your thermostat at 74 degrees during the summer months.
• To reduce your bill, simply set your thermostat between 81 and 84 when you leave for work and then move it back to 74 when you get home.
• Of course, having a programmable thermostat can easily achieve this as you can schedule temperature changes resulting in use of a little less energy when you don’t need it.
• And while not everyone can do this because of kids and/or a significant other who also live in the residence, getting everyone in the habit of shutting off the air conditioner and heater when not at home can reap substantial benefits for the individual responsible for paying the bill, which is probably you.

Make Your Home “Leak Proof”

• Believe it or not, having “air leaks” through your doors, windows and vent can be more costly than you think.
• Not only does the added expense come from air escaping the very area it is attempting to help, but also causes your heating and cooling system to work harder than it needs to, thus, using more energy.
• As such, it is important to check all your doors, windows and vents for any leaks to make sure you’re not paying for more energy than you need.
• If a leak is found, one easy, low-budget solution is to simply use caulking to seal it.
• On a grander scale, replacing old, worn-out windows with energy-efficient replacements will do much to not only make your home more attractive but, more importantly, reduce your energy bill.
• Plus, often-times there are government-sponsored incentives for window and door replacement.
• And don’t forget, best practice is to have your heating and cooling system serviced annually.
• In doing this, not only can leaks be detected but the efficiency of your units reviewed as well.

Use Ceiling Fans

• The use of ceiling fans in California’s Central Valley is almost mandatory.
• As you may know, ceiling fans do much to help circulate air to make you feel cooler when it is hot and warmer when it’s cold.
• To some degree, no pun intended, this can help compensate for not adjusting the thermostat to as low a temperature as you would like given the accompanying expenses.
• And remember, be sure to have the direction of your fan seasonally adjusted.
• During the summer, your fan direction should be counter-clockwise to help create a downdraft which results in a cooling breeze.
• In winter, your fan direction needs to be clockwise to create an updraft and circulate warm air around the room.
• Doing these two things will not only have the desired effect of keeping you comfortable, but also reduce your energy costs.

As we know, the best things in life – walking, jogging, hiking, biking, swimming, exercising, playing in the yard, hanging out with loved ones, conversation, worship, smiling, etc. – are free. And while staying cool in summer and warm in winter is also one of the best things in life, due to accompanying costs it is unfortunately also a major exception to this “best things life being free” rule.

Nonetheless, there are some important things we can do to not necessarily have energy and electricity be free, but at least reduce their costs.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/savings/clever-ways-to-save-money/