

Have you noticed your electricity bills and energy consumption rising over recent months? Don’t worry, you are not alone. It can be easy to lose track of how much energy we use on a daily basis, and it can affect the monthly budget quite significantly.
But anyone can remedy their usage and save money on the next energy bill, just by putting some simple practices into place around the house. Read on for fifteen of the best ways to lower household energy costs!
Compare Energy Offers
Check previous bills to see what your current electricity rate is like, and don’t be afraid to shop around the market for other electricity providers.
Whether you have a variable or fixed rate, you might find a cheaper option that will cut energy bills’ totals with other electricity and gas retailers, and don’t be swayed by a default market offer.
Energy-Efficient Appliances
Save energy in the whole house by using appliances that are manufactured to draw less power. From dishwashers to washing machines, there are many options for the same appliances that are energy-efficient models and won’t drive your electricity prices too high.
Hang To Dry
Eschew modern clothes dryers for a more old-fashioned—and energy efficient— way of doing laundry. It takes a lot of energy consumption for a dryer to fully dry your clothes, so hang them outside instead. Or, in the winter, invest in hanging racks and string up your laundry inside.
Install A Smart Meter
Smart meters are a great option for mindless energy savings. Not only do smart metres monitor and track your energy usage in real-time, but you can then take that data and figure out better energy plans to implement.
Insulate The House
If heating and cooling processes within your home are not being kept indoors, then it’s a waste of money. To prevent this, ensure the entire house is well-insulated, from the walls to the attic.
And when it comes to insulating your roof, one of the best ways to prevent heat loss and promote better air circulation is by installing a dry, fixed roofing system by RapidRidge, which will help you save energy on each month’s electricity bill.
Lower Your Thermostat
Promote energy efficiency by turning down the heat. Most peoples’ thermostats are higher than they need to be, and you can actually save a decent amount of money and energy usage by simply lowering the thermostat by a degree or two.
Monitor Electricity Usage
A top to reduce energy costs is to not save electricity when you’re not in the room. Turn off lights and ceiling fans when you leave an area, and don’t let electrical appliances run by themselves. You can even unplug power point connections to reduce passive energy consumption.
Open A Window
Instead of turning on an air conditioner, try opening a window during the summer. Air conditioning units use a massive amount of energy to cool an entire house, so letting in a breeze instead could save you a sizeable amount of household energy use.
Replace Light Bulbs
Switch out your incandescent light bulbs for energy-saving LED ones and watch the savings appear on your next electricity bill. LED lighting costs less, and the bulbs will last longer, so it’s a win-win scenario.
Run Electric Appliances At Off-Peak Times
Do some research on when off-peak hours are in your location, and try to schedule large electric appliances to run at that time. This is a great way to lower your energy usage and thus, your electricity bill.
And when you run appliances that need plenty of hot water like dishwashers and washing machines during off-peak times, then you can save on water bills at the same time!
Turn Off Standby Appliances
If there is an appliance or tool in your kitchen, bathroom, or dining room that does not get used regularly, it’s a good idea to switch it off. This can include bigger objects like microwaves and toasters, as well as electric toothbrushes, stereo equipment, and gaming consoles.
A good rule of thumb is to always switch something off, unless it will wreak havoc on its settings to do so. And while you have to remember to turn it on again before use, it’s an easy habit to get into and makes a big difference to your energy bill in the long run.
Upgrade The Hot Water Tank
Hot water efficiency is key to keeping your electricity bill down, and if your tank is quite old or does not perform as highly as it should, it’s likely time for a new one. Invest in a new, energy-efficient tank for heating water, and make sure to insulate the entire cylinder to prevent heat loss from within.
Use An Electric Heater
While it might seem counterintuitive to recommend an electrical heater when trying to save money on electricity running costs, using a space heater instead of your furnace to warm only the area that you’re in is a wise idea.
Pushing warm air throughout the house puts strain on the furnace and uses more energy, so it’s better to only heat the room that you are in.
Wash Clothes In Cold Water
Most laundry situations do not require scalding hot water to get your things clean, so cut back on energy use by washing clothes in cold water, instead. Plus, with less energy consumption required to heat the water, you avoid excess greenhouse gas emissions from polluting the air!
Watch Water Efficiency
It can be a simple habit to leave the tap running while you brush your teeth or wash dishes, but make sure to always turn off the water when not using it. Not only does this practice help with water bill prices, but you cut back on the energy wasted on hot water that’s just going down the drain!
Final Thoughts
And so, it’s not so difficult to master efficiency when it comes to appliances, tools, and habits, and using less energy can be a great way of life! For anyone considering ways to reduce energy costs around the home, try these tips to get the most energy out of your daily use without breaking the bank.