There is no way around it. Keeping the house warm and the lights on is expensive. Once you add in the running costs of washing machines, dryers, air conditioning units, and even watching TV, the costs of energy bills quickly stack up.
Of course, everything you have should be under a home warranty. So if they break, you don’t have to worry about replacement costs. But how else can you save cash on your energy bills?
Let’s break it down into sections, so you can get to the tip that will help you faster.
Water
A fact that will surprise many people is that hot water is the second-largest expense for most families.
However, it can be challenging to cut back on your hot water usage. If we consider how often we bathe or shower, how often the dishwasher goes on, and wash laundry, it can stack up pretty quickly.
Cutting the shower time by 2 minutes can save up to 5 gallons of water, but if you already take short showers, what else can you do? Replacing the showerhead to a water-efficient one can save even more – with as much as 2,700 saved.
You don’t need to wash all of the clothing on the high heat setting on the washing machine; often, the lower temperature will do the job just as well.
Check for leaks and get them fixed asap. Even a tiny leak in a faucet that isn’t too noticeable can add to your water bills.
The washing machine and dishwasher are two of the hardest working – and most water and energy-consuming – appliances in the home. Where possible, upgrade to one that has been given the Energy Star certification. The certification means that they have a % of energy and water-saving that will help to reduce your bills.
Temperature
The largest bill, with water closely following behind, is the temperature of your home. A lot of money is spent on heating or cooling the home to a comfortable temperature.
Here are some great ways that you can manage the costs associated with temperature control.
Does your thermostat need to be that high? The chances are you could save a lot of money by turning it down just 2 degrees. If you arent in the home, you can reduce it by 10-25 degrees. Keeping the temperature lower when you aren’t in the house can save up to 10% a year.
Are your fridge and freezer temperatures too high? Your freezer only needs to be between 0-5, and your refrigerator can keep food cool at around 38 degrees. Both the fridge and the freezer work overtime to maintain a cold temperature. Since we open the refrigerator door quite often, this uses a lot of energy.
Check the seals on the appliance, doors, and windows. Any small leak will significantly impact how much energy you are using to keep your home at the right temperature. It might only take a few hours in the day, but go around and check all of the corners and edges to ensure everything is sealed as it should be.
The most obvious way to reduce heating and energy bills is to wear an extra layer of clothing: a cardigan or a jumper, some thicker socks. Not only is this super cozy, but it means that you won’t need the extra heat from an external source.
Lighting
Power and lighting account for around 11% of the home’s energy usage, which might not seem like a lot, but it soon adds up.
It is no fun sitting in the dark, so leaving the lights off isn’t the best answer to reducing your lighting spend. Instead, swap out the lightbulbs in your home for cost-effective LED bulbs. You don’t need to swap them all in one go – you can start in the room you spend the most time in and work outwardly.
If you have a large range of electricals plugged in all the time, even the standby option will be using power. Instead, invest in a smart timer power strip, and set it to go off when you usually go to bed. This will stop the energy vampires from costing you a fortune for not really being in use.
If you don’t seem to be saving money no matter what you do – it might be time to do an audit on your energy supplier. Are they the cheapest? Do they offer you the right package for your usage?
Use an energy comparison website to check that you are getting the best deals.
Get even more handy tips on saving with this post: Monthly Expenses – Top 4 Money Saving Tips for Essential Bills at Home