Utility costs are something you cannot ignore, and at times you might notice an increase in your bills. You may often assume there is not a better alternative to reduce the cost of utilities. Most people will nod in disbelief and look forward to clearing the bill because they depend on utilities for their daily operations.
However, you could take simple approaches to save some money on your utility bills. You may consider buying smart gadgets that use less power, or you could open the windows during the day and enjoy the fresh breeze. It will help you save on the HVAC costs.
There are many other ways you could save money on your utility bills. Here are five easy ways to go about it.
1. Turn Off and Unplug What You Do Not Use
Unplug unused devices such as your sound system, instant coffee maker, air conditioner, and vacuum cleaner. You may tend to forget to turn off these appliances; hence, they could run for an entire day. As a result, you incur high utility expenses that could be easily avoided if you remembered to turn off unused appliances.
In this case, you can make it a habit to start checking any unused appliances before you leave the house. Make a short checklist and stick it on your fridge; you can always refer to this list to ensure you switch off what is not used. If you have appliances that you don’t intend to use soon enough, consider unplugging them completely.
2. Conserve Power by Closing Off Lights
Before you go to bed or leave the house, make sure you shut off all the lights in your house. Try to conserve electricity by turning off all non-essential lighting in your house. It will go a long way in conserving energy and helping you save money on utility bills. Think about it; around eighty percent of light bulbs’ energy is going down during use. Thus, there is no point in leaving it on when you are not using it as an option to save some money on your utility bills.
Your efforts to cut down on energy use could allow you to get great benefits from demand response programs. All you must do is get involved and receive money back to reduce your energy demand. There are also demand response companies that seek to assist the customer in lowering their demand for energy to balance consumption.
3. Use Alternative Sources to Light Up Areas
If you are reading or doing any other activity in the dark, use a lamp or LED bulb instead of turning on the main light. It will help you save almost half of the energy consumed by the light.
Fluorescents and LEDs also get brighter when they heat up. The use of LED sources will let you cut down extra costs from lighting up your house. LED bulbs are expensive, but it is more economical in the long run because you will not have to replace them for a very long time.
4. Turn Down Your Water Heater
The amount of heat used for a water heater will be calculated depending on when the heat is being used and how much is being used. Lower the temperature on your water heater and set it at 120°F degrees instead of 130°F degrees. It will help you reduce heat consumption and save some money on your bill.
5. Use a Fan to Save Energy
Fans are a great way to save a lot of energy. If you have ceiling fans installed in your house, use them to help you lower the temperature in the room. They can often help reduce or even stop the air circulation condition, thus saving some money on your bill.
Other Great Alternatives
Keep Your Oven Closed
Do not use your oven often. If you keep it closed, it will help conserve the energy consumption of your oven.
Take Advantage of Off-Peak Rates
Many companies offer lower rates during off-peak hours. Try using this opportunity to reduce your energy costs or even get some money back in return.
Change Your Thermostat Setting
If you are leaving your home for a period of time, lower the temperature setting on your thermostat before you leave. However, if you are likely to return within an hour or less, do not make any changes because it will cost you more in the long run.
You can also consider shutting down your thermostat during the night and resetting it before you leave for work.
The Bottom Line
There are many ways to save money on utility bills. There is no denying that you may not be able to afford the rising costs of utilities. But, there is always a way to reduce your energy consumption without sacrificing any comfort or convenience in your life.
