Utility bills are on the rise, yet there are ways to keep them as inexpensive as possible. Even making minor changes can have a dramatic effect on lowering electricity costs. One way to reduce energy use is to unplug electronic devices when not in use – such as TVs, computers and coffee makers, but there are a lot of ways you may not have thought of…
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1. Use a Smart Thermostat
If you're searching for ways to reduce your power bill, smart thermostats could be an ideal way. These devices enable you to control heating and cooling from a computer, smartphone, or smart speaker – plus they are much simpler than their programmable counterparts and more accessible to the average homeowner.
Smart thermostats offer considerable energy-saving potential by sensing when you are home or away and automatically adjusting their settings accordingly. In addition, smart thermostats learn your comfort preferences over time as well as automatically adapting to schedules that vary daily.
Many smart thermostats will send you a monthly energy report detailing how much power was consumed by your system during that month, including how your usage compares with that of similar homes in your area and suggestions for ways to lower energy bills.
These reports can be particularly beneficial when your energy company provides rebates to homeowners who install products that reduce energy use, such as solar panels. A quick search on local government or energy provider websites should reveal any incentives or perks available in your area.
Smart thermostats may come at a significant upfront cost, but their savings on energy bills often more than make up for it. According to the EPA, households that installed Energy Star-compliant smart thermostats realized an average 8 percent decrease in utility expenses when installing these smart devices in their homes.
Smart thermostats are easy to program, and most work with phone apps or other smart speakers such as Google Assistant or Alexa. Simply set your desired temperature and make adjustments throughout the day (for instance when leaving and arriving home or when going to sleep).
Once set, your thermostat should follow your schedule and automatically change its settings. Some smart thermostats can even detect when you are away by using motion sensors or geofencing technology – features which allow the device to know where your mobile phone is located.
2. Unplug Your Electronics
Unplugging electronics is an inexpensive and simple way to reduce your power bill, according to estimates by the Department of Energy. Unplugging some devices could lower your monthly electricity costs by an estimated 10%.
At all times when devices are on standby mode and powered off, they use energy called Phantom Power (commonly referred to as standby or idle power). This problem affects almost every home.
Start off by unplugging all energy-hogging appliances such as laptops or computers, TVs and gaming consoles – they all add up. To reduce phantom power usage further, start with unplugging those that consume most energy such as TVs, gaming consoles and stereo systems.
These devices often feature LED displays that consume power even while sleeping or in standby mode, and you should unplug any charging cables from wall outlets that may still be plugged in. Kitchen appliances can also help save on electricity, such as your oven, microwave, refrigerator and dishwasher. In standby or idle mode they consume very little electricity.
If you don't unplug your appliances and electronics at night, they could potentially short out and cause irreparable damage – this is particularly dangerous during storms and hurricanes. Appliances such as your air conditioner and heating system may also become damaged from microsurges that overload their electronics, leading to fires.
Unplugging appliances and electronics are not only money-saving; it may also prolong their lifespans by relieving stress from them and prolonging their useful life. One easy way to become more energy-efficient is by unplugging computers and laptops when they aren't being used – saving electricity while protecting against potential storm damage.
3. Turn Off the Lights
One simple way to lower your power bill is turning off lights when they aren't being used – not only will this save money on electric costs but it will also reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change.
Savings vary depending on how much electricity is consumed and the type of light bulb being used. For instance, switching off one 40-watt bulb for one hour could save as much as $0.04 on your electricity bill – some of the billigste strøm you can get in Norway. As it may not sound like much money, saving even small amounts every day adds up quickly if done consistently.
Apple, Google, Amazon, and many other companies offer smart home systems that come with lighting control apps and systems that can help you establish a schedule to control when and how often your lights come on and off – helping reduce monthly energy costs by saving money with lighting control plans that save energy costs and money on power costs.
CFL or LED bulbs will last longer if only switched on and off when not being used; this could reduce wear-and-tear and extend their lifespan, though too many switchings could shorten it significantly – however, this has been shown to save money, overall.
By switching off your lights, not only can you save money but you will be helping the environment as well. Lighting remains one of the leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions which negatively impact global climate and human health, leading to weather changes, pollution and environmental harm which negatively impacts living creatures, according to World Wildlife Fund estimates.
4. Change Your Attire
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce your power bill is to start using it sparingly. You'd be amazed how much of your monthly electricity bill you could reduce simply by cutting back on energy usage when everything can be as easy as changing what you’re wearing to fit the room’s climate.
Another effective strategy to accomplish this goal is through smart thermostats and appliances – creating an energy-saving smart home that can notify you how to best dress will pay dividends over time; so start taking note of energy usage around your home – or better still try eliminating all energy use completely – at first!
