How to Lower Your Electric Bill with These Simple Home Energy Saving Tips

In today’s world, finding ways to lower your energy expenses and reduce energy usage isn’t just a smart choice. It’s a responsible one.

It is time to take control of your energy usage and start saving big on utility bills!

Join us as we unpack ways and strategies to help you achieve a more sustainable and cost-effective lifestyle.

Whether you own a home or rent, this blog will help you save on your energy bill.

Here are some energy saving tips to make your home more energy efficient and lower your electric bills.

Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling account for roughly 52% of your home’s energy usage, making this the most significant portion of your energy bill. These tips will make the largest impact on reducing your bill:

Close windows and doors, and use curtains or blinds during the day to block heat from coming in.
Use weather stripping seals on windows to prevent heat loss during the winter.
Install a programmable thermostat and adjust the heating and cooling settings based on your household’s schedule.
Setting your thermostat five degrees higher for eight hours can reduce your cooling costs.
Only run exhaust fans when getting rid of odors.
Make sure your window air conditioning unit fits correctly.
Use ceiling fans to circulate air inside your home.
Call an HVAC expert to make sure your heating and cooling systems run efficiently.
Change air filters regularly.

Not only can taking these steps reduce your bill, but they also make your home more comfortable.

Kitchen

With kitchen appliances making up about 5% of a home’s energy use, it’s safe to say many cooks in the kitchen aren’t making your electric bill soar. But you and your family can still reduce your energy usage:

To avoid using your oven and other appliances, use an outdoor grill when able.
When making smaller meals, use a microwave, toaster, or crockpot.
Keep the oven door shut when in use.
Keep your refrigerator and freezer stocked. A full fridge and freezer are more energy efficient than empty ones.
Load the dishwasher properly and only run full loads.
Use the air-drying option or stop the dishwasher when the dry cycle begins to save energy.
Try running your dishwasher during off-peak hours.

The 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) found that US households spent an average of $258 on electricity in the kitchen in 2020. While that may not sound like much in the long run, following these tips can still lower your energy bill.

Cleaning

No one likes cleaning, but everyone likes lower utility bills. Here’s how you can make cleaning and your home energy usage more efficient:

Only run the washer when it is full and change loads while the dryer is still warm.
Clean out the dryer lint after every use.
Line dry clothes whenever possible.
Sponge mops use less water than string mops. Use a bucket when mopping instead of running water.

With dryers accounting for 3.2% of the average home’s energy use, line drying more frequently is one easy way to reduce your monthly bill.

Around your home

Cutting back on energy usage doesn’t require making huge changes to your lifestyle. Here are some small things you can do around the home that can make a bigger difference in your bill:

Look out for and repair leaky faucets.
Check for loose gaskets that could be leaking cool air.
Turn off the lights when leaving a room.
Replace incandescent bulbs with LED lights.
Unplug appliances when not being used.
When installing new appliances, look for Energy Star certified appliances.
Turn off smart TVs instead of letting them go to standby mode.
Use smart power strips to turn off multiple items at once.

When combined, lighting, home entertainment systems, and computers account for approximately 7% of a home’s energy usage. That adds up quickly! So take the extra time to look out for the small things.

Saving water

According to the EPA, the average family can waste 180 gallons of water each week. That’s the same amount of water it takes to wash 300 loads of laundry! We can all do our part to use water more efficiently. Here are a few ways to get started:

Save money and water by showering instead of bathing.
Take shorter showers.
Install low-flow shower heads and faucets.
Wrap your water heater in insulation.
Turn off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving.
Use a nozzle to shut off or adjust your hose when outdoors.
Mow your lawn at a higher mower setting to keep your lawn more hydrated.
Install rain barrels to catch stormwater for gardening and other outdoor activities.

The average family in the US spends more than $1,000 on water costs annually, but you can save hundreds of dollars and thousands of gallons when you make these simple changes.

Unplugging Appliances Checklist

Many household appliances still use power when they’re plugged in, even if they’re turned off or in standby mode.

Consider unplugging the following items when not in use:

Microwaves
Toaster ovens
Air fryers
Blenders
Coffee makers
TVs
Sound systems
Video game consoles
Cable boxes
Computers
Printers
Heaters and fans
Air conditioners
Chargers
Power strips

AEP Energy Gives You the Power to Save on Your Electric Bill with Better Electricity Rates

By incorporating these practices into our daily lives, we can all contribute to a more sustainable future while also saving money.

AEP Energy gives you the power to choose better electricity rates at a fixed rate, so you know what to expect when you get your electricity bill.

Contact AEP Energy to learn more about our services.

Sources:

https://www.energy.gov/

https://www.energystar.gov/buildings/save-energy-commercial-buildings/ways-save/upgrade-lighting#:~:text=LEDs%3A,of%20their%20energy%20as%20heat

Additional Resources:

AEP Energy does not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, freedom from error, or value of any information herein. The information presented is provided “as is”, “as available”, and for informational purposes only, speaks only to events or circumstances on or before the date it is presented, and should not be construed as advice, a recommendation, or a guarantee of future results. AEP Energy disclaims any and all liabilities and warranties related hereto, including any obligation to update or correct the information herein. Summaries and website links included herein (collectively, “Links”) are not under AEP Energy’s control and are provided for reference only and not for commercial purposes. AEP Energy does not endorse or approve of the Links or related information and does not provide any warranty of any kind or nature related thereto.

Share this blog post: