Energy costs are rising, so many people are looking for more ways to save as much money as possible. The key to lowering electricity bills is understanding what is being paid and what will have the biggest impact. By understanding the electric bill and what has the biggest impact, it’s easier to optimize the energy costs and reduce the electric bill as much as possible.
Start by Understanding the Plan
It is important to start by knowing your electric rates. Understand the plan to see if rates increase during peak hours or based on how much energy is used during the month. Both of these can have an impact on the bill and cause higher than expected bills, especially for those who tend to use more electricity during peak hours. Know how much is paid per kWh, if the rate can fluctuate, and, if so, when it fluctuates. Doing this will make it easier to use electricity when rates are lower and save when the rates increase.
Do an Energy Audit
It is important to do an energy audit to get an idea of what is using the most electricity in the home. In most cases, the HVAC system is going to use the most energy. After that, though, large appliances can use a significant amount of energy, especially if they are on all the time. Some people may be surprised at which appliances use more energy or if there are other causes of high energy use, like an issue with the electrical system. Have any potential issues fixed to start saving right away.
Schedule Use of Appliances
Those who are on a time-of-use plan will want to make sure they’re using major appliances like the washer and dryer during off-peak hours. This will increase energy use when the cost per kWh is lower and decrease the use when it’s higher, so it’s possible to save even more money. Smart devices can help with this, as they can enable appliances to be turned on remotely. It also makes it easier to turn off appliances that aren’t being used or shut off outlets when devices are done charging to minimize the potential for wasted energy.
Use of Energy-Efficient Appliances
Those who do not have a time-of-use plan or those who want to increase their savings more will want to make the switch to more energy-efficient appliances. Older appliances are going to use more energy, so upgrading is going to make sense for those who want to save money. It is a good idea to check the energy efficiency of any appliances to see if upgrading is a good idea. If the budget doesn’t allow for upgrading all appliances, start with upgrading those that will make the most difference. These include appliances that are used more frequently or ones that are older and have a higher energy use.
If your electric bills are too high or you’re looking for more ways to save money, there is a lot that can impact the bill. Take the time to learn about your electric plan, check the rates to see if there’s a better option, and look into what can be done to minimize the kWh used to lower the bill as much as possible. Doing so could help you save a significant amount of money in the long run.