Are you tired of paying high monthly utility bills? If so, you’re not alone. With the recent economic downturn, many people are finding that their budgets are tighter than ever. This can be especially true when it comes to your monthly utility bills. While most of us would like to see our monthly utility bills go down, they seem to always increase in price every year anyway.
A person’s monthly expense usually goes towards items such as electricity, natural gas, water, internet services, etc. and people often wonder what steps they can take to save money on their monthly utility bills. Fortunately, there are several things that an individual can do to reduce their utility expenses. This list will highlight some simple solutions for reducing utility costs, that will help you save money without having to make drastic changes, or sacrifice your standard of living.
Unplug Electronics
Many people leave their cell phone chargers plugged in even when they are not charging. This is very wasteful because once the device is fully charged, it continues to pull energy from the outlet. As long as the electronic product remains plugged into an outlet, whether or not it is turned on, it will consume electricity. Even if appliances are turned off at the wall switches, many of them still draw some power, which also wastes money. By unplugging small appliances such as your computer, television, and other electronics when they are not in use, you can save a significant amount of money.
You should also make sure to use certain appliances during off-peak hours when electric rates are lower. Many utility companies are beginning to offer free nights and weekends electricity plans that can help consumers save on their monthly utility bills. With these plans, running a dishwasher or washing machine overnight instead of during the day can cut your power bill significantly.
Wrap up, Not Turn Up
As the weather in your area starts to get just a little touch cooler why not simply wear more clothes rather than turning up the thermostat? This small change can save you quite a lot especially as global gas prices are rising all the time.
Use Motion-Sensor Activated Light Switches
A motion-sensor activated switch can be a great option for those who want to save money on their monthly utility bills, but don’t want to completely replace all of their lights. The idea behind a motion sensor is that it senses when there’s movement in the room and automatically turns your lights on. When no one is moving in the space, it will turn off your lights after a certain amount of time has elapsed. This saves you from constantly having to walk over to the light switch every single time you enter or leave a room and can help reduce lighting expenses significantly. A motion-sensor activated switch will only cost you around 20 bucks, but if you have a large home, it could save you hundreds of dollars per year on your monthly utility bills.
Switch to LED light bulbs
This alternate light source can conserve energy and lower costs. According to Energy Star, “LED lighting consumes up to 85 percent less energy than traditional incandescent lamps.” (Energy Scores) Rather than continuously replacing incandescent bulbs that burn out frequently, consider investing in longer-lasting LEDs. These light bulbs are also more environmentally friendly since they require fewer resources to produce during production processes. For example, the average 60-watt incandescent bulb releases 90-100 watts of heat into your home over its lifetime. A comparable LED emits only 15 watts of heat energy while emitting the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent. Another advantage is that LEDs last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. That means, for the same number of hours used, you can expect a much lower energy cost from an LED bulb.
Replace Old Appliances
A refrigerator from the 1970s is going to have a much lower energy efficiency rating than models on the market today. In fact, many of your everyday appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines that are more than 10 years old will cost you more money in power bills each month. When possible, replace older appliances with new, energy-efficient models. Not only will the new appliances last longer and help you save more money on your monthly utility bills, but they will also be better for the environment. For example, a new front-loading washing machine can use 40 percent less water and 32 percent less energy than a top-loading model. That’s a big difference that could help you save hundreds of dollars every year.
Use Those Power Saving Options
So you have replaced those older gadgets with new ones and probably saved yourself a lot of power usage. But you can save even more by turning on all the power-saving and power-optimisation options on those said gadgets. You will be shocked at how many of them don’t have these turned on as default.
Convert To Solar Power
Solar panels are becoming very popular today as many homeowners want to become more environmentally friendly. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a solar installation can take up half or less of the space that a conventional system requires while reducing your home’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources Solar power is great for homeowners because it not only saves money on monthly utility bills, but it reduces environmental impact and helps keep consumer electricity rates low for everyone. You should consider converting to solar if you are looking for ways to save money, help the environment, reduce your carbon footprint, and make sure other ratepayers pay lower monthly utility bills as well.
Replace The HVAC Filters
You should change your furnace filters every month during the winter and twice a month during the summer months. A dirty or clogged filter makes your HVAC unit work harder to cool or heat your home, which results in increased energy costs for you That’s why it’s important to invest in high-quality filters that are durable and efficient at keeping particles from entering the system. For example, a pleated filter has a greater surface area than flat filters do, thus allowing more airflow into the unit. In addition, allergen filters with “MERV” of 7 or higher can capture dust mites, pet dander, mould spores, pollen, and other allergens from your home. This will both help your heating and cooling system to work less and help reduce indoor air pollution.
Insulate All You Can
It’s not just about insulting the roof which is often done as default these days, but it is also about walls and any attached part of the house where heat can escape. This is especially true with new-build houses as they can often have thin walls with little to no installation inside of them.
Install A Programmable Thermostat
If you are looking for ways to save more money on your utility bills, installing a programmable thermostat is probably one of the best investments. Instead of constantly heating or cooling your home when you’re not there, consumers can set their programmable thermostat at different temperatures depending on the time of day. For example, during the winter months when no one is home, consumers can change their programmable thermostat to an energy-efficient temperature that allows them to keep costs down without sacrificing comfort. During the summer months, homeowners who work long hours away from home can change their settings to keep air conditioning costs low until they get home each evening.
As mentioned before, taking small steps towards saving money on monthly utility bills can make big differences in a household budget. Utilizing these strategies will allow individuals to conserve money throughout their homes. It is important that each reader understands that saving money does not happen overnight; there are many little steps that need to be implemented into daily life. Combined, these tips can assist people financially.
