Last year electricity prices rose at the fastest rate in almost 15 years, increasing by an average of 4.3%.
In some areas, the increase was even steeper. For instance, states like Texas and Florida saw increase rates of well over 10%.
Are you trying to cut down on your energy costs? If you can conserve energy, this won’t only reduce your energy costs, but it can also help the environment.
Keep reading to find out how you can cut down on energy usage, save on your utility bills, and go green in the process.
Choose Efficient Lights and Appliances
One of the ways you can reduce your energy costs is by using efficient lights and appliances. We’re not saying that to go green you need to throw away all your appliances and light bulbs.
This can lead to more waste and overconsumption. But, when it is time to replace an appliance or swap out a light bulb, make energy efficiency a priority.
For instance, LED bulbs are one of the most economical, eco-friendly options when it comes to light bulbs, as they use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last roughly 25x longer.
Watch Out for Energy Vampires
Besides opting for efficient appliances and light bulbs, you can also keep an eye out for energy vampires. These are appliances and devices that consume standby power even while they are not in use. These include things like computers, WiFi routers, TVs, or anything with a remote or power light.
One of the easiest ways to stop energy vampires from silently sucking electricity is by hooking them up to smart power strips.
Maintain Your HVAC System and Refridgerator
If your utility bills are higher than you’d like, it might be a good time to service your HVAC system and make sure your refrigerator is still running efficiently.
To run at peak efficiency, HVAC systems should get a service or tune-up at least once a year. If an HVAC system is laboring under a clogged filter, dirty vents, low gas, etc, it will have to run more and use more energy to maintain the same temperature within your home.
The same applies to refrigerators. If a refrigerator is running low on refrigerant gas, it will have to work harder to stay cold.
Another way you can save on electricity usage for these appliances is by adjusting the thermostat slightly.
For instance, do you really need the temps on your AC so low in summer? By turning the thermostat up a few degrees you could save a little on your utility bills. You can also install a programmable thermostat to optimize energy usage.
Invest in a Solar System
Cutting down and saving on your energy usage can reduce your energy costs—but it won’t eradicate them. If you want to completely slash your energy bills, and go green, then you might want to look into wind and sun power options.
Clean energy for home use is getting cheaper by the day, and it allows homeowners to reduce their utility bills and see a good ROI on the money they invest into these eco-friendly options.
Are you curious to know how much you would save with a solar system? If so, you can visit a site like blueravensolar.com and use the savings estimate feature to get an idea of how much you could reduce your energy costs by going solar.
Go Green and Wave Goodbye to Sky-High Utility Bills
Are your utility bills getting too high? If so, it might be time to go green, monitor your consumption, and maybe even invest in a solar system.
Now that you know some of the ways you can reduce your energy costs, browse the blog for more helpful lifestyle and home-related content.