Energy can be pretty expensive, and reducing your power consumption will benefit your wallet as well as the environment. Tweaking your energy usage can help lower those bills. Here are ten tips that will help you reduce your energy bills and save money.
Insulate Your House
Cooling or heating becomes ineffective when the air seeps through the edges of windows and doors in the house. You can buy inexpensive window insulation kits to seal up the edges, making your house more impervious from the elements.
Wash Laundry with Cold Water
Your washing machine uses most of the power just to heat water. Avoid running hot water mode every time you do laundry. Saving hot water for extra dirty laundry while washing everyday clothes in cold water will conserve power and reduce your energy bills.
Schedule Yearly HVAC Maintenance
Regular inspection and cleaning of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system will increase their efficiency and reduce your bills. It will also give you the added benefit of having clean air circulating in your home.
Unplug your Electronics When Not in Use
Did you know your electronics are using power if plugged in even when they are not in use? Make a habit of unplugging your phone chargers and other electronic gadgets when you’re not using them. Keep your computers on standby or sleep mode when not using to reduce consumption of power.
Air Dry your Clothing to Save on the Bills
Instead of using the dryer every time you wash your clothes, consider drying your clothes outside in the sun. Hang up a clothesline in your backyard and allow your clothes to dry naturally. You can also dry your clothes naturally in metal rods or on a drying rack placed in a sunny room.
Replace your Air Filters Monthly
Dirty filters restrict the airflow and cause the AC to run for a longer time to cool the inside air. Prolonged use of AC will increase your energy bills considerably. Keep track of when to replace your air filters and clear away soot and dust built up to maximize AC performance.
Switch to LED Bulbs
Did you know LED Bulbs consume 90% less energy than ordinary incandescent bulbs? Replace your light bulbs with LED bulbs to save on your power bills. Also, install dimmer switches to reduce power consumption and give you a cozier ambiance in your home.
Make Lifestyle Changes
Making some simple lifestyle changes, like opening your blinds and curtains to allow natural light and using ceiling fans for cooling rooms, can reduce your power bills to a large extent. Ovens consume a lot of power because of their need to preheat. Giving your cooking ranges a break while slow cooking over an electric stove can ease pressure on your monthly budget.
Upgrade to Energy Star Appliances
Your appliances consume more energy and become less efficient as they grow older. Make sure to replace your devices after ten years. Invest in energy star appliances that work with less energy to save on your energy bills.
Give Your Thermostat a Nudge
To prevent overconsumption of power, set your tank‘s thermostat to 120 degrees from the preset value of 140 degrees. Reduce hot water consumption by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators and wrap old water heaters and pipes with insulating materials to prevent leakage of heat from them.
