Hefty electricity bills are not just a burden on your shoulders, but on the environment too. Picking out the right alternatives and taking brief steps towards saving electricity is not an option but a compulsion.
One of the key factors that add up to electricity bills is how you use electricity. Have you ever wondered how to cut down on electricity bills at home? If yes, you are in the right place. In this article, we will share six simple ways that will help you cut down on your energy bills.
1. Switch to LED or CFL bulbs
If you wish to reduce your electricity bill, replace incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs as these light sources use less energy. Incandescent bulbs take 4 times more energy than CFLs. 22-watt CFL produces the same energy as a 100-watt incandescent bulb does. CFLs are expensive but can save you money in the long run as they are more reliable.
In addition to CFLs, you can also buy energy-efficient appliances; they are more expensive initially but save you money in the long run. They work more efficiently and use less energy than regular ones. Furthermore, energy-efficient appliances are better for the environment because they produce less CO2 emissions per unit of electricity consumed. Finally, always turn off the lights when leaving a room.
2. Switch Off the Energy Draining Appliances.
You might not pay heed, but the electronics even when not in use such as the television, washing machine, and desktops drain small amounts of electricity which can add up to 15 percent of the bill. So, be sure to switch these off after use. Don’t turn off electronic gadgets by the remote and leave them on stand-by mode.
To make this easier and more convenient, you can use power strips, where just one switch off will turn off all the energy-draining devices. If an appliance isn’t being used, don’t leave it plugged in even if it is a cell phone charger. The amount of money saved will depend on what kind of appliance it is and how often it’s used, but we recommend unplugging anything that isn’t being used.
Air conditioners consume a lot of energy, so it’s important to turn them off when leaving the house. You should know when to turn on your AC to save money, and when it’s better to keep it turned off and use a different method to cool yourself down. For example, if the outside weather is pleasant, you can open your windows and doors and keep your air conditioning switched off.
A lot of ACs have built-in timers that can be set, so they automatically switch off after a specified time and some of them have sleep modes where they go into low-power mode while not being in use.
3. Use Solar Panels
Switching to solar power is the most efficient way to reduce electricity bills. Because it saves money, as well as the environment. Solar panels can be installed on roofs or in windows, depending on how much sun exposure they have access to. The power produced from each panel depends on its size and location.
4. Use Natural Light As Much As Possible
You can take advantage of natural light by opening the windows of your bedrooms. Besides energy-saving benefits, natural light also provides us with vitamin D and improves our focus and productivity.
5. Buy a Programmable Thermostat
You can cut your energy bills by using a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature based on the time of day, weather conditions, and other factors.
These devices are available in different models with all features and are often cheaper than buying a new electric heater or air conditioner!
6. Charge Your Phone in Airplane Mode
Charging phones in airplane mode might seem minimal in contributing to the ways of saving electricity, however, it has long-term benefits.
This way, the mobile doesn’t slow down the charging process because it consecutively burns the energy when looking out for signals for connecting with the Internet or finding a GPS location. In fact, in airplane mode, it charges effectively. You can keep your phone in power-saving mode while charging because the screen brightness and vibration also suck energy. In the end, don’t forget to unplug the charger when you’re done using it!
Hopefully, these easy tips and tricks mentioned in this article will help you be able to cut down on your electricity bill and save a few bucks during the next billing cycle. You may not have the budget to install solar panels for your home, but converting a few fans and lights into solar can still make a difference in reducing your energy bills.
