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You know that feeling when you open your electric bill and think, "I didn't even use this much electricity this month!" Well, if you want to stop getting those nasty surprises on your electric bill, then keep reading. In this article, we will explore up to 20 ways to cut down on your energy usage and save some money in the process.
How to cut electric bill by 75 Percent
With the winter months quickly approaching, it's important to start thinking about how you can cut down on your bill. While there are many ways to do this, we've compiled 20 ways to drastically reduce your electric bill legally:
1.Get a smart and programmable thermostat
A great way to start saving on your electric bill is by getting a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats can save you up to 30% on energy consumption, so it's definitely worth the investment.
There are a number of different smart thermostats on the market, so you should be able to find one that fits your needs and budget. Some popular brands include Nest, Ecobee, and Honeywell.
If you're not sure whether or not a smart thermostat is right for you, check out our article on the best smart thermostats of 2021.
2.Upgrade your lightbulbs
If you're still using CFL or incandescent light bulbs, it's time to upgrade to LED bulbs. Not only do LED bulbs use less electricity, but they also last longer than traditional light bulbs.
In fact, if every household in the United States upgraded their lightbulbs to LEDs, we would save enough energy to power approximately 30 million homes.
When it comes to saving energy, there's no question that LED bulbs are better than CFLs. In fact, an LED bulb can save you up to $100 in energy usage costs over its lifetime.
If you're still on the fence about whether to switch to LED bulbs, here are a few reasons why LEDs are better than CFLs:
LED bulbs last longer, so you don't have to replace them as often
LED bulbs use less energy, so they save you money on your electricity bill
LED bulbs emit less heat, so they're safer to use and don't cause as much wear and tear on your appliances
Looking to upgrade your lightbulbs, we recommend choosing LED bulbs. For more information, check out our article on the best LED light Bulbs of 2021.
3.Get rid of standby power
Did you know that your TV or cable box is still using energy when it's in standby mode? Standby power, also known as "phantom load", can be defined as the electric current consumed by an electronic device while turned off. This means that even though your TV or microwave might appear to be off, they are still consuming electricity every minute of every day if left on standby!
So how much money could you save on your electrical bill simply by unplugging certain items when not in use? The answer: about $100 per year for each appliance/device.
That's why it's essential to take a look at your home and identify which devices are using standby power. Once you've identified them, unplug them when they're not in use!
Some of the most common appliances that consume standby power include:
TVs
Cable boxes
DVD players
Stereo systems
Microwaves
Toaster ovens
Coffee makers
Computer printers
If you want to save even more money on your electrical bill, start by unplugging these devices when they're not in use!
4.Be mindful of your home's temperature
Keeping your home at 65 degrees Fahrenheit will reduce your heating and cooling costs, compared to a higher or lower temperature.
For example, if your thermostat is set at 70 degrees Fahrenheit instead of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, it could cost you up to $200 extra per year! So keep that money in your pocket by setting your thermostat low during winter months and high during summer months!
A great tip for staying comfortable while still being conscious of how much power you're using is bundling up with blankets when it's cold but also opening windows when it's outside. This way, you can take advantage of the cool air without having to turn up the thermostat! When it comes to being mindful of the temperature, remember these three tips:
Set your thermostat at 65 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months.
Bundle up with blankets when it's cold and open windows when it's warm outside.
Ensure your home is well insulated, so you don't have to adjust the thermostat constantly.
Being mindful of the temperature can save you a lot of money on your energy bill!
5.Use a power strip
A power strip can be defined as "an electrical device that allows multiple electrical devices to be plugged into it, and which then distributes the electricity among the devices." In other words, it's a way to plug in multiple items into one outlet!
By using power strips, you're not only saving space on your plugs, but you're also saving energy. This is because when electronics are turned off, they still consume energy (known as standby power). So by plugging all of your electronics into one power strip, you're effectively turning them all off when they're not in use!
And the best part about power strips is that they are very affordable and can be found at your local hardware store. Using a power strip is one of the easiest ways to cut down electricity costs, and it's also simple and very effective!
6.Install dimmer switches
Dimmer switches are a great way to reduce electricity consumption. These types of switches can be installed on any light fixture, which allows you the freedom to control how much or little power is being used by that particular device! Installing them in specific rooms throughout your home will make it very easy for you to turn down the lights when you're not using them.
And if for some reason they are installed where they aren't needed, no problem because you can always remove them and use regular bulbs instead!
So whether you decide to install dimmer switches yourself or hire an electrician to do so, this tip will help keep money back into your pocket month after month without having too drastic of an effect on the look of your house's lighting.
7.Wash clothes in cold water
One way of saving money is by washing your clothes in cold water. This method uses about 90% less energy than when you wash them in hot water! And if you're using an ENERGY STAR certified washer, it can save you even more money because these machines are designed to use less energy and still get the job done.
Washing clothes in cold water may seem like a small change, but it will add up over time! If every American household did this, we could save $700 million per year on our electrical bills! So why not give it a try?
8.Use a clothesline
Another way to save on your electric bill is by using a clothesline. This may seem like an old-fashioned method, but it's actually very effective! Using a clothesline properly can save you up to 50% on your electric bill!
How does this work? By hanging your clothes out to dry in the sun and wind, they will naturally air dry instead of having to use the dryer. And since the sun and wind are free, you're essentially using nature as your own personal dryer!
So next time you finish doing laundry, consider hanging them outside on the clothesline-you may be surprised at how well and fast they dry!
9.Use a fan
Our 9th energy saving tip is use a fan. Fans use much less power than air conditioners and can be just as effective in cooling down a room! In fact, fans can save you up to 40% on your electrical bill during the summer months!
There are many different types of fans available on the market, so it's important to find one that best suits your needs. If you're looking for something that will cool down an entire room, then consider purchasing a floor or ceiling fan.
But if you only need something to help circulate the air in a specific area, then a desk or oscillating fan may be better for you.No matter which type of fan you choose, be it a ceiling fan or a standing fan, using any of them is one of the easiest ways to save money on your electric bill.
10.Make your own ice cubes
If you're looking for another way to save on your energy bill, then consider making your own ice cubes. This method is especially useful if the refrigerator in your home has an automatic icemaker!
Using a freezer or an ice tray and some water will allow you to make all of the ice cubes that you need without having to pay extra for the convenience of using your refrigerator's icemaker.
11.Use a microwavable lunch bag instead of aluminum foil
Another way to save on your electric bill is by using a microwavable lunch bag in place of aluminum foil. This is very effective! In fact, if you were able to cut out even just one sheet of aluminum foil from each meal you prepare, then over the course of the year, that could add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars saved thanks to this trick alone!
Microwave safe bags are made with materials specially designed for use in high temperatures, which means they won't melt when put inside the microwave and will be much easier for you to clean up afterward, too!
So next time someone asks for some aluminum foil to help cover up their food, consider saying no you'll be saving a lot of money, and it will make your life much easier as well!
12.Conduct an energy audit
One of the best ways to avoid a high electric bill is by conducting an energy audit. This may seem like a daunting task, but it's actually very easy and can be done in just a few minutes!
Plus, once you have the audit results, you'll have a better understanding of where your home is losing the most energy-and therefore money-making it much easier for you to make changes that will help conserve power.
There are many different types of audits available, so it's essential to find one that best suits your needs. If you're unsure where to start, consider contacting your local utility company or visiting EnergyStar.gov for more information.
Once you have the audit be sure to share the results with everyone in your household-this way, they'll be aware of monthly electricity usage and the changes that need to be made and help contribute to conserving energy!
13. Annual HVAC maintenance
A good recommendation for lowering your electric bill is to maintain your HVAC system annually.
This will have a massive impact on how much energy you use every month! Just having an inspection done could save you up to 20% or more on your energy bills, so this one simple task can drastically reduce the amount of money that ends up wasted every year.
In addition to doing regular inspections, most technicians will also give you energy saving tips for increasing efficiency.
14.Do hot water heater maintenance
Just like with HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, maintaining your hot water heater could also help improve the overall performance, which means more savings for you down the road too.
And since most people only think about checking their filters during big yearly cleanings, there's no reason why they shouldn't do it every few months instead just to make sure everything stays running smoothly!
15.Cut back ironing time
The best way to do this is by cutting back on how much time it takes to iron your clothes each week since a pressing iron puts out a lot of heat and wastes electricity too!
You can also use a dry cleaner. So instead of spending hours every Sunday or Monday morning trying to get all those pesky wrinkles out, simply take advantage of what dry cleaners have been offering customers for decades-the ability to drop off their clean but wrinkly clothing so they can come back later in the day once everything has been pressed!
You'll still look professional while also saving yourself some time which means more money saved as well.
16. Stop preheating your oven
For those who like to cook at home, this next tip might be the one which helps reduce your energy bill the most. The best way to do this is by stopping preheating your oven when you know that food will take a relatively short amount of time to prepare. In fact, if you use an electric stove then simply turning it on to the right temperature before you start cooking is just as good.
In addition to saving electricity, this also helps save time too since it will prevent you from wasting energy by having your oven on for an hour or longer when it's not even needed! And while some people would argue that preheating a gas stove is necessary to help food cook evenly, this isn't always the case so it's worth trying out to see if it makes a difference in your cooking.
17. Install outdoor solar lighting
An eco-friendly ways to reduce your electricity bill is through outdoor solar lighting. Instead of having to run cables throughout your landscaping and gardens, why not just use bright lights that are powered by nature?
There's no need for an electrician or special wiring when using these types of fixtures either since they're entirely self-sufficient! All you have to do is make sure they get enough sunlight each day so their energy can be stored properly until nightfall comes.
18. Energy savings landscaping
A good way to reduce your overall energy consumption is by doing some landscaping changes that will help deflect heat in the summer and keep your home warmer in the winter.
This can be done by adding trees, shrubs, or even a water feature near your house since they'll all work to either absorb or deflect sunlight as needed. In addition, making sure that there's plenty of insulation around doors and windows will help trap warm air inside during the colder months while also preventing any cold drafts from coming in too!
18. Take advantage of rebates and tax credits
Believe it or not, many utility companies offer rebates for those who make energy-saving upgrades to their homes. Before you decide to go ahead with any of the tips mentioned in this article, it might be a good idea to see if your local power company offers any type of incentive.
In addition, there are also many tax credits available for those who make energy-efficient changes to their homes as well. So before you do anything else, take some time to research what's available and see how much money you could potentially save by making a few simple upgrades!
19. Buy ENERGY STAR® appliances
We've already talked about how upgrading your lighting system can help you save money, but this tip will focus on the types of appliances that are available to homeowners.
The reason why Energy Star appliances are so helpful is that federal law requires them to be at least 20% more energy efficient than what standard models have been in the past, which essentially means that by buying one, you'll also reduce your overall electricity bill!
20. Properly insulate your home
This can be done in a variety of ways, but one of the best methods is through using spray foam insulation. Not only does it do an excellent job at filling in any gaps or crevices that might exist, but it's also been shown to be effective at reducing heat loss during the winter and heat gain during the summer!
Cut your electricity bill in half starting now!
Reducing your electrical bill by up to 75% is definitely possible, but it will require a bit of effort on your part. By following the tips mentioned in this article, you'll be well on your way to making some simple changes that can have a big impact!