Your energy bill is one of those financial obligations you can’t get around. So, when you receive a notification in the mail, you pay the bill without much thought. Yet, one day you get a bill that’s much higher than you anticipated. You can’t, for the life of you, figure out why the balance is so high, but getting it back under control is a must. The only question is, “What’s the most practical way to resolve the matter?”
Identifying The Cause
The first thing you must do is identify the cause of your high energy bills. Once you know what’s causing the problem, you can take steps to prevent it from occurring in the future. Below are some common and overlooked causes to consider.
Plugged In Devices
Electrical devices ranging from your lights to laptops require energy to operate. While you may remember to turn these devices off, they could still be draining energy if you don’t unplug them. As long as the power cord is connected to the electrical outlet, it will continue to draw from the source. Of course, some things need to remain on, like your refrigerator, but other items (like your smartphone charger) should be unplugged when not in use. Believe it or not, completing this task could save you up to $100 a year.
Lightbulbs
You need light when access to the sun is minimal or impossible. Be that as it may, the types of lightbulbs you use can determine how much you pay for your energy bill. The most traditional type of lighting is incandescent. Unfortunately, they drain a lot of energy and exude a lot of heat, which can cause your energy usage to increase. Therefore, you should consider switching to LED lights instead. Although LED lights are more expensive, they save you more money on your energy bills and last longer, which saves you more in the long run.
Insulation
If there’s one source of higher energy bills that gets overlooked more than others, it’s proper insulation. Since insulation is inside the walls, you don’t pay much attention to its appearance or function. However, if the insulation in your home is outdated or damaged, it loses its efficiency, causing cold air to enter as warm air escapes. Ultimately, you crank up the heat or air conditioner to make your living space comfortable and increase your bill in the process.
Check the insulation in your basement, crawl space, and attic. If it is damaged or nonexistent, you should contact a professional for attic cleaning, insulation removal, and insulation installation. Having these spaces in your residence cleaned and reinsulated will not only reduce your energy bill and improve household temperature but will eliminate or prevent any presence of pests.
Old Appliances
The appliances you use every day could be why your energy bills have increased. If the appliances are outdated, there’s a high probability that they have lost efficiency. What this means is that they require more energy to operate. While having your appliances serviced regularly can improve their efficiency, it’s time to consider an upgrade if you’ve had them for more than ten years. Such appliances might include your furnace, air conditioner, refrigerator, washer, or dryer. Opting for devices with a high energy star rating is recommended for the most savings.
Your Lifestyle
When considering why your energy bill has increased, you have to evaluate your lifestyle. What activities or habits have you developed that result in you using electricity or gas more frequently? For instance, do you and your family have a different television on in every room in the evenings? Maybe you’ve started cooking at home more often?
Once you’ve considered your lifestyle and daily habits, determine which ones you wish to change. For example, you can create a designated time when everyone unplugs and does something together (or that doesn’t require energy use). You may also decide that you only need one or two televisions instead of one for every room.
When the cost of living is as high as it is today, the last thing you want to do is intentionally add to your financial obligations. Your energy bill is one of those unavoidable expenses, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. To get the costs down, start by identifying the source, then use the suggestions to improve. With diligence and time, you’ll begin to see a significant decline in your energy bill each month.
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