The Clean Boot Blog

Home owning is a wonderful thing, you have your own space and personal freedom to treat that space however you want. Come and go as you please, play music as loudly as you want, turn all the lights on… just because? It’s a dream! That inevitably crumbles when you get your bills. Electricity is one of the biggest expense you have when paying your monthly bills. Follow these 10 easy tips to see a big difference in your next electricity bill:

1. Change Your A/C Settings

When it comes to your energy bills, air conditioning has by far the biggest impact on your wallet. Reconsidering how you use your A/C can bring considerable savings to your bill. Begin with the basic yearly maintenance. This involves examining air ducts before the weather turns hot, replacing the filters and ensuring the vents aren’t closed.

On extremely hot days, make sure to turn the ‘energy saver’ option on to maintain coolness and to also save a few bucks.

2. Never Leave Devices Plugged-in

There is no denying the fact that small gadgets and appliances in your home don’t consume much electricity separately, but together they add up considerably. Also, it’s not safe to leave any device plugged in as it may result in accidents or fires if there is a power surge overnight. However, as an old saying goes, precaution works better than the cure. Thus, make sure to unplug your devices when they’re not in use, to stay safe and to save money on your energy bills.

Keep in mind, any appliance you leave plugged in draws energy. One study suggests that this seemingly unnoticeable consumption could account for around 5% of your total bill. So, making sure to always unplug devices.

3. Decrease Summer Cooling Costs

One way you can decrease your summer cooling costs is to make a few changes in your routine. Try to keep your curtains closed during the daytime as sunlight coming in can make your rooms extremely hot. If you have a double-story home and you’re using A/C upstairs, make sure to keep all doors and windows shut, as this will help save on air-conditioning costs.

4. Check Your Insulation

Heat loss through your attic can make up 20% of your energy bill during winter. Luckily, fiberglass insulation is an affordable and effective way to save money.

5. Opt for DIY Weather Stripping

Negligence is the biggest barrier when it comes to saving some cash on your electricity bills. If you haven’t paid attention to the missing weather stripping on your windows, it’s time to look around and fix any damage, you’ll see a positive change in your upcoming utility bill.

6. Consolidate Things You’re Not Using At the Moment

There are many things in your home that you use only in a specific season. Consider bringing all those appliances together and unplug them until they’re needed.

7. Turn Off Lights

Did you know you can save up to $12 per year if you turn off (2) 100-watt bulbs for 2 hours in your home? Now apply basic math to know how much money you can save by turning off all the unnecessary bulbs in your home.

8. Cold Showers are Healthy

It takes a great deal of money to heat water. Try to develop a habit of taking cold showers during summer.  Also, try to wash your clothes in cold water, as it will help save a lot in terms of electricity.

9. Do Smart Cooking

We’re living in a world where you can save money by working smart and not hard. Ditch your conventional oven and try to use toasters and microwaves to save some bucks.

10. Avoid Using Large Appliances

The large appliances in your home contribute a lot to your energy bills. Avoid using large appliances, better yet, if you can easily ditch them for a more energy-efficient substitute, then go for it! However, if it’s not possible, there are energy-saving tricks you can use to curtail these expenses.

For instance, you can use your large appliances after 8 when energy costs are comparatively lower. Similarly, make sure to select a full load option so you use your appliances less often.

In conclusion, the best way to save money on your energy bills is to limit the amount of electricity you consume. Take a hint from this post and see a prominent change in your next electricity bill.