When you start to notice your electric bill rising, you probably begin to wonder what on earth is going on? Your first instinct may be to blame your provider, but this is not always the case. Sometimes your appliances are the ones to blame.
So why exactly is your electric bill going up, and how can you lower it?
This is not an easy question to answer. It could be a variety of different reasons, such as you aren’t using energy-efficient appliances or lighting. Maybe your wiring is old and outdated, and it could even possibly be your thermostat is not set at a consistent temperature.
If you’re interested in finding out more information about how you can save money on your electric bill, continue reading. If you don’t mind spending a bit extra, continue reading anyway, and you may change your mind.
Leaving Things Plugged in All of The Time
You may believe that when you’re not using an appliance it isn’t using energy. You’d be wrong. Anything that is plugged in all the time is still drawing power, even if it’s just a little bit. Even if it’s just something as small as a phone charger is still consumes energy. If you leave all of your appliances and electronics plugged in all of the time, it may add up.
Even when turned off, most electronics still use energy. Think of your DVD player that you haven’t used in ages and yet is still plugged in. Instead of powering off your TV, DVD, and other types of electronics, go into sleep mode. One thing you may not have thought of is that anything in your home that keeps time must stay on whether they are being used or not.
How You Use Your Thermostat
Did you know that no matter how well your home is insulated, your thermostat can also raise your electric bill? Many people change the temperature of their thermostat depending on how cold or hot it is outside. This is another reason you notice your bill going up. The better option is to keep it at a consistent temperature depending on the season and to throw on an extra blanket if the weather turns colder. Another trick is to program your thermostat to lower/higher when you are not home or when everyone is sleeping according to the seasons or time of year.
Have Your Appliances Checked For Energy Efficiency
It is vital to have a qualified electrician inspect your appliances to see how energy efficient they are. Depending on their age, older appliances may not be as energy-efficient as newer ones. Once the devices have been identified, you should talk with your electrician about what one best fits your needs. Big appliances such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers are especially important to have inspected since they are the ones you use the most and draw the most energy.
Another tip for your washer and dryer is to make sure you are not washing too small loads. Of course, you don’t want to overfill it, but when you are not using it to its total capacity, you can be wasting energy, causing your bill to go up. The dishwasher is similar. Make sure you are filling it and choosing the correct wash cycle. There is also no need to dry them because they can simply air dry. Just these two small changes can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Use Your Lights Correctly & Choose the Right Bulbs
Many people believe they should choose their bulbs based on how bright it makes the room. This is not the case. Lights are meant to light up a specific area in the room and not the entire room itself. When you walk into a room, notice where lights and lamps are located. Most of the time, they are close to specific areas you’d expect furniture to be.
If you have gone to look for new light bulbs lately, you’ve noticed that they are much more complicated than they used to be. Now you go down the aisle, and you see rows and rows of choices from wattage to the type of bulb it is. It’s all pretty confusing, even for those who have a lot of experience buying them. If you look at the outside of the package, it tells you which ones are the most energy-efficient.
Although if you want to save time, money and a headache just call an electrician, and they can do the work for you and offer great advice for proper lighting. Knowing what types of light bulbs to use in your home will make a difference.
How an Electrician Can Help
We all want to save money on our energy bills, especially with the rising costs due to the pandemic. The best way to do this is by conserving energy and making a few small changes around the house. One quick phone call to a licensed electrician can end up saving you hundreds a year and will make sure your home is up to date, efficient and safe.
Bratcher Electric in Wayne MI has been servicing homes and businesses for over 60 years and can help with every aspect of your electric system. Our goal is to provide complete satisfaction for every job we perform. Our electrical services include new home wiring, surge protection, code upgrades, standby generators and much more! Call today for a Free Consultation.