Electricity is the most common form of energy used in homes today, and it powers everything from lights to appliances and even air conditioning units. When saving money on your electricity bills, there are various ways you can do so without sacrificing quality or comfort.
Clean Your Filters
It’s essential to clean the filters in your HVAC unit regularly. The best way to do this is with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner, but if you don’t have one of those handy, use a broom and dustpan. First, remove the front cover of your air conditioner or heating system and place it aside. Then check for dust and other debris around the unit. If there’s any, use your broom or vacuum to remove it before continuing with further steps.
Get Rid of Leaks and Drafts
Leaks are probably the most accessible place to save money on your electricity bill. According to the EIA, leaks and drafts can account for up to 20% of energy wasted in a home, so fixing them is a great way to save money on your bills.
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Eliminating air leaks in older homes is easy and inexpensive, but it’s also one of those things you should be doing anyway if you live in an old house. Old houses were not built with energy efficiency; thus, they have many gaps where cold air can enter from outside.
Lower Your Water Heater Temperature
You will need to adjust the dial on your water heater to lower the temperature. It should be located near the bottom of your tank and may have a gauge reading off it. If there’s no dial, you can open up the top of your tank and adjust it manually by turning a screw with a wrench or pliers. The tricky part is knowing how cold you can get away with going before risking damage to your plumbing system or not having enough hot water for showers or baths. The general rule is to set it as low as possible while maintaining adequate temperatures for washing dishes and clothes.
Use LED light bulbs.
If you want to lower your electricity bill but still keep your home looking like a palace, you can replace the incandescent light bulbs in your house with LED ones.
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LEDs are much more efficient than CFLs and incandescents, and they use about 60 percent of traditional bulbs’ power. They also last longer, so you won’t need to change them often.
Use Solar Energy
Solar energy is a renewable source of energy that can be used to power your home. You can do this by installing solar panels on your roof, which will soak up the energy from the sun. With the help of a solar energy contractor, you can lock in your average utility rate instead of having to deal with unpredictable monthly bills. If you live in an area with harsh winters or scorching summers, using solar energy will help you save thousands of dollars on heating and cooling your home.
Seal Any Air Leaks
Once you’ve identified any mismatched appliances, it’s time to seal up the house. Check for drafts around windows and doors by opening them slightly, then pressing your hand against the gap between the frame and wall. If you feel a breeze, there’s an air leak.
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Another way to find leaks is by using weatherstripping around windows or doors that don’t fit tightly in. You can also use caulk or foam sealants along seams where two pieces of sheetrock are joined together. Finally, check for leaks around pipes and ducts with soapy water.
Conclusion
The best way to save money on your electricity bill is to be smart about how you use it. You can do this by keeping track of when you use the most electricity and adjusting accordingly so that your bills are lower. You also may want to consider switching from your current provider if they charge too much for their service or if there is another company offering better rates near where you live.
