It is important to remember that the cost of living is always going up and in order for most average American families to make ends meet, they need to find ways to cut down on their expenses where they can.
One of the highest expenses in most homes is with their monthly utility bills and many families find themselves needing to cut back on what they spend on heating, cooling, electricity, and water costs to ensure that they are able to put more away into savings or use it on other things that will give them a better return, such as paying off debt.
Start Monitoring Your Electricity Usage
The first thing you need to do in order to manage the amount of money that you spend on utilities is by learning how much power you actually use.
Look at a previous bill because it should have a record of what you used the past month and compare it with this one.
This way, if there are any discrepancies, you can easily determine if it is because of the appliances you are using.
One of the best ways to cut down on the amount that you spend on electricity is by getting rid of old appliances and getting new ones, with excellent Energy Efficiency Ratios (EER).
If you have several appliances in your home, it might be ideal for you to unplug them when they aren’t being used since they still consume electricity even when they are not turned on.
You should also keep track of how long these appliances run so that you will know what times during the day there is excess power usage happening.
Make Sure All Sockets Are Working Properly
Another thing that causes high electricity bills is faulty wiring.
This applies to overloaded power outlets as well as old ones that might cause electricity leakage, which means you are essentially losing money because of these things.
If you don’t want to replace your sockets with new ones, at least make sure they are all in perfect working condition by having them checked out first on a monthly basis.
This involves testing each socket’s ability to hold a current and providing electricity from the circuit box when the device is plugged into any given outlet.
If any sockets do not utilize electricity properly or if there is a noticeable electrical issue, then the same day utility connection technicians will fix it immediately you call.
The connection program is designed to provide same day service for any electrical problem, regardless of how big or small, it might be.
The easiest yet most effective way to ensure that everything is in top condition is by setting reminders on when your home’s wiring should be checked out by a licensed electrician from the city or town where you live.
For example, because you have been experiencing blackouts in your area, it would be best to schedule an inspection every two months at least.
Once you’ve got this reminder set up, just make sure that faulty sockets and old wires are fixed right away so you don’t have to spend much on electricity bills for the rest of the year because of these things.
Use Appliances That Are Energy Efficient
If you have appliances that are not as efficient as some of the newer ones, try to replace them if possible.
There is no point in spending money on an appliance that isn’t going to decrease your utility bill by a significant amount, so be sure to consult this same list for suggestions and replacements.
Old window unit air conditioners and fridges tend to use a lot of energy, so if you don’t notice a difference it might be time to replace them.
Although new appliances can be expensive, it is worth it in the long run because you will have better quality appliances that save you money.
At least once a year take an appliance out from its confined space and clean behind its grills and coils.
This is especially important for fans, refrigerators, computer equipment (including monitors), and the AC unit itself.
If You Have An Older Home, Consider Getting Insulation Updates
The cost of insulating your attic could save you hundreds in utility bills throughout the year. If your home was built before 2000, it may be time for an insulation checkup.
While maintaining the same level of comfort, upgrading insulation can lead to lowered energy bills, making up some of the initial cost in a short timeframe.
After the re-insulation is completed, you could save up to $60 per month on your energy bill.
Insulation works by trapping air and blocking temperature exchange between inside and outside.
It is the same concept that drives a Thermos to keep your hot coffee hot and your cold pop popsicle from melting.
There are three main types of insulation: fiberglass, cellulose (cotton fiber), and foam. All insulation slows down the transfer of heat, but the rate at which it does so varies.
There are a few things that you can do to decrease your energy bills.
Energy-efficient appliances and insulating your home help a lot, as well as using cold water instead of hot water when doing tasks such as washing dishes or clothes.
Try these tips to see if it helps make a difference in your utility bill.