Energy costs are soaring globally, and households are looking for ways to reduce bills. Experts have revealed some simple tips and tricks for saving energy, including unplugging electronics and sealing air leaks.
Install a Smart Thermostat
There are several proven ways to help reduce your electricity bills. One of which is investing in smart thermostats. The technology allows you to control your home’s heating and cooling from any location, and it can also automate temperature changes throughout the day based on your usage patterns. Plus, many smart thermostats feature learning algorithms that adjust over time to maximize energy savings.
According to Duke Energy, a smart thermostat can cut your heating and cooling bills by 20% annually. It can do this by learning your behavior over time (using things like geofencing and a history of when you’re at home or away), using simple scheduling to pause a heating schedule during the day or while you’re sleeping, and lowering temperatures when nobody’s around or when you’re gone for an extended period.
Another feature that’s a big selling point for smart thermostats is the ability to tweak your home’s temperature from anywhere — even while on vacation three states over. This convenience makes it easier to avoid wasted energy from forgotten adjustments.
Turn Off the Lights When You Leave a Room
It may seem obvious to turn off your lights when you leave a room, but it can be easy to forget. This simple energy-saving hack can help you significantly reduce your electricity bill. If a light bulb consumes 40 watts in one hour, turning it off for that same period will save you 4 cents per hour. That’s a small amount, but it adds up over time.
Lighting only accounts for a small percentage of your electricity consumption, but you can save even more by upgrading to LED bulbs. These bulbs use a fraction of the power of traditional incandescent bulbs and last longer, too.
You can also save money using energy-efficient appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine during off-peak hours. Many electricity companies offer time-of-use plans, which increase rates during peak times and decrease them during off-peak times. By avoiding using your appliances during those expensive times, you can keep your electricity bills low all year round. e.
Wear Warm Clothes in the Winter
The cost of utility bills, especially electricity, can become a major part of your monthly budget. While eco upgrades such as solar panels and insulation will help reduce your energy costs in the long term, there are plenty of simple, affordable ways to lower your monthly electric bill for year-round savings.
For instance, switching to warm clothes in the winter can significantly reduce how much your heating and cooling system runs. Similarly, washing your laundry in cold water rather than hot can save energy and money.
Another easy way to lower your electric bill is by unplugging devices and appliances when they aren’t used. Phantom energy sucks up to 10% of the average home’s electricity usage, so ensuring that all your household items are properly plugged in or switched off can significantly cut your electric bills.
Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances
There are some quick and easy things that you can do to help reduce your energy costs. Although they may not be as effective as some of the big steps, like swapping out single-pane windows for double-pane windows, they are still helpful in making a dent in your electricity bills.
One of the easiest ways to reduce energy usage is by switching out your light bulbs for LED ones. LEDs use 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and can last a decade. You can also save money by switching out your appliances with energy-efficient ones – look for the blue ENERGY STAR label on any appliance you’re replacing. Energy-efficient appliances are designed to use less energy without sacrificing performance or functionality.
Install a Smart Power Strip
Many devices, such as your TV, computer, coffee pot, and air fryer, still draw electricity even when turned off or on standby. This drain, known as vampire power, can add up to a significant amount of wasted energy each year.
You can reduce this waste by unplugging unused electronics, but this cannot be easy. A smart power strip can help by automatically cutting off the supply to any outlets with connected devices switched off or in standby mode. This will stop the vampire power drain and help save you money.
Simple steps to reduce energy usage can significantly lower your apartment electricity bills. While bigger changes, like replacing old windows with double-pane ones or installing a smart thermostat, can make a big impact, there are plenty of quick and easy ways to cut down your utility bills that don’t require any major investment. You must be willing to change your habits and commit to small lifestyle changes.