We’ve all had that moment: the one where you look at your electricity bill and want to know what exactly is making it cost so much. Though we groan and sigh when we look at the cost, we still fork it over, no questions asked. There’s only so much you’ll pay before you’ve had enough, though, and you don’t have to stand by and take it. Here are a few easy ways for you to cut back on electricity consumption without having to compromise your lifestyle.
Replacing Old Appliances
Did you know that your heating and cooling system is the biggest guzzler of energy in your home? And no matter how well-maintained your appliance may be, if it’s too old, it’s simply too old. What with the advancements made by Energy Star and heating and cooling manufacturers in general, it really pays off to get a new unit. This same rule applies to all large appliances in your home — refrigerators, hot water heaters, and so on. Replacing your big appliances every 10 to 15 years can make a huge difference on your energy bill, and although there is an upfront cost for this, it will pay for itself in savings fairly quickly.
Using Spray Foam Insulation
Just like your appliances, re-insulating your home can pay off. A well-insulated home won’t let outside air in or vice versa very easily and, therefore, you’ll use up to 40% less energy when it comes to heating and cooling. Additionally, spray foam insulation is extremely sustainable, won’t degrade over time or attract pests, and has many other added benefits like noise cancellation. It’s another investment worth making if you want to significantly lower your energy bills.
Being Smart with Laundry
You probably already know that you can lower energy bills by washing your clothing in cold water — a lot of the energy used by your washing machine comes from simply heating the water. However, it also helps to make sure you’re not doing too much or too little laundry at once. If your loads are too small, you’re just wasting water and dryer heat; if they’re too large, you may end up having to run the dryer twice for no reason. Make sure there’s enough laundry to justify doing a load, but not too much that it doesn’t allow for movement. Furthermore, doing your laundry late at night or early in the morning could save you money as some companies offer discounts after 8:00 PM – you can call your power company to find
