How to Save on Electricity Bill ?

Imagine a world where you can lower your skyrocketing energy bill without the need to spend on high end gadgets to power your home. The guide below is equally useful whether you live in Texas or Ohio, New York or California. It lists important tips and tricks to help lower your energy consumption and reduce your overall monthly costs. In New York, for instance, you can reduce your Con Edison bill
by over 20%. In colder states, like Illinois or Vermont, that number could be even higher. If you believe your energy bill is quite high, please read on.

1. Always Unplug Your Electronics When You’re Not Using Them

Believe it or not, your electronics still consume electricity when they’re turned off. Also known as energy vampires, it’s always suggested to fully unplug your devices to prevent over consumption of electricity that can boost your bill.

2. Clean Your Vents

When you have your air conditioner on full blown, air might be blocked by dust or debris build up in your vents. To make sure your AC is operating at full capacity, work on clearing and cleaning your vents weekly. Trust me, there will be more dust than you can imagine once you let it build up.Another alternative to try is replacing your air conditioning filters, you can even buy a bulk pack for a few dollars at your local hardware store. However, make sure you measure your vent size beforehand.

3. Replace Your Shower Heads with Low-Flow Ones

Ordinary shower heads can pump out more water at a high rate, which in turn takes longer to heat. By replacing your old shower heads with low-flow ones, your shower will pump out less water which means less heat required. Luckily for you, this small switch could save you hundreds of dollars a month.

4. Repair and Clean Your Fridge’s Coils

One of the last things you’d think to check in your fridge is its coils. In fact, the dirtier the coils get in your fridge, the harder it is for it to keep your food cool. By over performing on a daily basis, it can greatly over consume electricity.It’s suggested to work on cleaning them once every two months to keep them functional and clean. If you still notice an over consumption of electricity, try consulting a technician who can diagnose your fridge in case it has a deeper issue.

5. Skip the Oven

At last, the tip your have been waiting for! And no, this does not mean you should order takeout for every meal. Try using your microwave instead of your oven. Microwaves use less electricity and your meal will cook faster. This is a lot better in the summer as well. Ovens release a lot of heat into your home which means you will not only be wasting energy on the oven, but also on your air conditioner. Play it safe and use your microwave.

6. Review Your Refrigerator’s Thermostat

Chances are the internal thermometer in your fridge and freezer are set higher than they need to be. According to the USDA, your refrigerator should be set so it stays at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Check out the temperature and turn it down. And if your refrigerator has an ice maker, turn it off. This eats up energy unnecessarily as it is just as easy to fill those plastic ice trays.

7. Buy a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat can help you save a lot of money on heating and cooling costs. This would allow you to predetermine the temperature in your apartment for certain times of the day. With this device, you can set your thermostat at a lower temperature while you are at work or sleeping. By only using heat while you are home, you will be saving a lot on your energy bill.

8. Be Smart When Doing Laundry

If you are lucky enough to have a washer and dryer in unit, be conscientious when washing your clothes. A vast majority of the energy your washing machine uses is applied to heating. In fact, heating up the water uses almost 90% of the total energy. Reduce your bill by using only cold water to clean your clothes.You should also only use the washing machine when you can put in a full load. Your washing machine uses a lot of electricity as is, so it is best to minimize the energy use by only running it when it is full. You can also conserve energy by skipping the dryer completely. Instead, line dry your clothing and towels in the sun.

9. Ditch Some Appliances

There is no reason you need to have a toaster and a toaster oven. Go through your belongings and decide which appliances you absolutely need and which you have but are not essential to keep. Try sweeping and mopping instead of using a vacuum cleaner. Mix cake batter by hand instead of using a stand mixer.There are countless ways you can use fewer appliances every day. This will reduce your energy output and lower your electric bill. Plus, you can clean out your apartment in the process!

10. Choose a Different Energy Provider

Finally, you can take advantage of energy deregulation by choosing your energy supplier and reduce your energy bill. Many states allow electricity supply to be provided by independent energy service company (ESCO), while delivery is still distributed by the local utility. However, finding the right supplier could be a tedious task. That’s where energy comparison services could help. In New York, for example, you can compare energy rates to reduce your Con Edison bill. In Texas, you can use government run website www.powertochoose.org to choose your suppliers.
Electricity can be an incredibly costly necessity if not monitored consistently. Hopefully, our tips and tricks could help you lower your overall costs and help you save on a monthly basis.