Living with all the comforts of a household run by technology is only great until you receive your energy bill.
Those bills should be a wake-up call, especially since almost a third of the energy you are paying for isn’t even being used.
That’s right, 35% of household energy is just wasted energy.
The Average Household Energy Use
Imagine how much you could save each year by being more efficient in your energy use!
The average household spends $115 a month on energy bills.
If they were able to cut out the 35% waste, that means the bill would only be $75 a month – saving the average household $40 a month or $480 a year.
Here is a breakdown of energy use in the average household.
Screenshot: The Biggest Sources of Residential Energy Consumption - an infographic by Uma Campbell from Connect4Climate.
5 Ways to Cut Down Your Energy Costs This Year
Here are 5 ways you can cut your energy waste down and save on your next bill.
1. Don’t Leave Unused Devices Plugged In
You could save almost $50 a year by unplugging devices that aren’t being used.
If your device is warm, it means it is using power.
Some common electronics that should be unplugged when not in use are:
Phones
Laptops
Wifi
Televisions
Having a nightly routine of unplugging devices that are not in use is one great way of saving a few dollars a month.
2. Set Thermostats and Hot Water Heaters on Timers
Two other culprits of constant power leakage are your hot water heater and your thermos.
Your hot water heater is draining power, even when you aren’t using it. Save energy by setting a timer on your hot water heater so that it begins to heat water only when you need it – like for your morning shower.
Lowering thermostats can save you close to 10% of your energy costs – even just lowering them about 7 degrees for 8 hours a day.
Again, having a timer would be useful.
There are points in the day that are hotter and other times that are cooler. Set your thermostat to match the natural pattern of weather to save on energy costs instead of keeping your thermostat the same temperature all day.
3. Redo Your Home Insulation
If your home is poorly insulated, you will lose more than the average household energy waste.
Redoing your home insulation may cost a higher amount upfront, but can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run from savings on your energy bills.
Start by redoing your exterior wall insulation to hold in more heat and cool during the day. This renovation can cut your heating loss up to 40%!
4. Keep Windows and Doors Closed Properly
Energy loss also happens because of poorly sealed windows and doors.
Closing doors and windows, while the thermostat is running, will keep cool or hot inside the home. You don’t want to pay to heat the entire neighborhood, only your house.
Even within your house, close doors to areas that are not being used so your thermostat only needs to heat one or two rooms at a time.
5. Cut Down on Your Hot Water Use
The average shower lasts 8 minutes and uses 16 gallons of water.
Cutting back on how long you shower can save you money on your water bill and heating bill.
Also consider other areas where you use hot water, like
Washing hands
Running the dishwasher
Doing laundry
Each of these appliances has energy-saving alternatives that will cut down on your overall bill.
Start Saving Energy – And Money – Today
If you are trying to streamline your financial decisions, one great place to start is streamlining your energy use.
Try finding more energy-efficient alternatives for your household appliances, lightbulbs, water heater, and electronic devices. For instance, with advancements in energy-efficient HVAC systems, upgrading your air conditioning unit can significantly reduce energy consumption and utility bills. By investing in AC installation and replacement, you will enjoy better cooling performance while using less electricity. Modern units often come with smart technology features that allow you to control you AC remotely, further optimizing your energy usage and reducing the burden on your wallet.
Also, join the FREE Money Fit Challenge to start making better financial decisions in all areas of your life.
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