Are you looking for ways to lower your energy bills? If so, you’re not alone. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average American household spends more than $2,000 a year on energy bills. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce those costs. Here are six tips that can help you slash your energy bills this year.
1. Use Fans Instead of Air Conditioners for Cooling
Use fans instead of air conditioners for cooling. Fans will save you money by using less energy than ACs to cool your home or office space. They are also much cheaper to maintain and purchase, so they’ll cost you significantly less in the long run than AC units do each year.
If you are using ACs, set your thermostat between 78 and 80 degrees. This will ensure the air is cool enough to keep you comfortable without draining all of your energy bills. You can also use ceiling fans or desk fans if it’s too hot to sleep comfortably under an AC at night.
2. Compare Electricity and Gas
You can also save on your monthly energy bills by comparing electricity and gas costs. You can do this with the help of energy suppliers and your local electric utility retailers. They will provide you with the information and tools to help you decide which energy is suitable for your budget.
It may also pay off, in the long run, to check with your current provider and ask if they offer any discounts or incentives that will lower your monthly bill even further than what their competitors are offering.
Some companies even have programs that allow you to purchase a portion of your energy from renewable sources, so be sure to ask about those when you are looking for a new energy company.
3. Turn Off Lights When Not in Use
Turn off lights when not in use. There are several ways to do this, but the easiest is to keep all of your lights turned on at once during regular usage times and turn them off as you leave each space.
If you’re leaving for an extended period, you can always put a timer switch on one or more fixtures so that they will automatically turn off after a specific time.
You can also install motion-sensitive lighting fixtures that will activate when someone enters a space and turn off after a set time if no one is in the room.
Ensure that all lights are turned off when they are not in use. It includes light bulbs, lamps, ceiling fixtures, etc. Leaving them on for hours at a time is wasteful and significantly increases your monthly bill.
4. Seal Air leaks in Your Home
It can be done by caulking or weatherstripping doors and windows and installing insulation in the attic and basement. You can also use window treatments like drapes or blinds to help keep the warm air out during the winter and the cool air out during the summer.
All of these measures will help to keep the air in your home or office from escaping, which will reduce the amount of energy you need to use to maintain a comfortable temperature.
5. Paint Your Roof White
Paint your roof white. It will reflect more sunlight and heat into the atmosphere, which will help to cool your home or office space without using any extra energy. It’s a simple and easy way to keep your building cooler during the summer months, and it doesn’t require any special tools or equipment.
You can either paint your entire roof white or just the parts exposed to the most sunlight. Whichever option you choose, it’s a great way to lower your energy bills and keep your home or office cool during the hottest months of the year.
6. Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can save you money on your energy bills by allowing you to automatically adjust the temperature of your home or office based on specific times of day and days of the week. This way, you won’t have to remember to turn the thermostat up or down whenever you leave or come home.
Most programmable thermostats also let you set different temperatures for weekdays and weekends, so you can save even more money by cooling or heating your space less during times when it’s not necessary.
In summary, lowering your energy bills doesn’t have to rely on drastic lifestyle changes. Implementing just a few of these suggestions will allow you to take control of the temperature inside your home or office and keep it as comfortable as possible without having a negative effect on your monthly financial situation.
