5 No-cost Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill

Nothing is better than having awareness towards a certain topic for both your and your environment’s gain. Taking baby steps in conserving energy at home is easier than bulked bills and a ruined climate in the long run. Some of these electricity saving methods we listed here are obvious and some not so much. They are all easily appliable and 100% free of charge. Getting smart with how you use your electricity will be so financially awarding that you will be appalled by the difference you see at the end of the month. Let’s get to work and see what we got!

Old fashion, intense light bulbs consume more energy than new generation bulbs. Light-emitting diode bulbs (LED’s) use almost 25%-80% less electricity and last 3 to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs. Other similarly advantageous alternatives are Halogen incandescent bulbs and compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s). You may realize that energy efficient bulbs are higher in price when you are off to the market to buy them. Don’t let this intimidate you as their impressive energy saving and durability makes them a wise and smart choice in the long run.                                                                                                       

This topic is once again more relative if you own old style electronics or appliances. Get a grip on smart technology as smart tech is an upfront investment but saves energy giving you a higher chance to reduce that energy bill every month. If you forget, it turns lights on and off for you, turn heating on an hour before you reach home, and many more upsides tag along. If a certain electronic device is not in use, unplug it or turn it off rather than leaving it on standby. This is a very simple task but is usually overlooked.

Windows are game changing when it comes to energy consumption. They have the potential to reduce down to 10%-25% of your overall heating expenses. Replacing your single-pane windows with double-pane ones will allow you to decrease heat loss through your windows.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

For homes in colder regions, gas-filled windows with “low-e” coatings can significantly reduce your heating expenses. In addition, interior or exterior storm windows can reduce unnecessary heat loss by 10 to 20 percent. You should especially consider storm windows if your region experiences frequent extreme weather events.                                                                                                                                                                                    

In warmer climates, heat gain through windows may be a problem. In addition to minimizing heat loss, low-e coatings on windows can reduce heat gain by reflecting light more and lowering the amount of thermal energy that enters your home. Window shades, shutters, screens, and awnings can also provide an extra layer of insulation between your home and outside temperatures, leading to even more energy conservation.

A very obvious yet missed way to reduce the pressure on your AC and heater is to dress in accordance with the weather. Wear layered, warm clothes in winter and cooler, lighter clothes in summer. This will give you the chance to reduce your electricity bill.

A single south-facing window can illuminate 20 to 100 times its area. Turning off a single 60W bulb for four hours a day is a $9 saving over a year. This is solid proof that using natural light will be an effective way to minimize your energy usage. Open those curtains and let the sunshine work its magic!                                                                                                                              

These convenient and free methods can be your gateway to spending less on those daunting monthly electricity bills. Keep in mind that applying these tips once or twice will not make a significant change. Only consistently sustaining these rules on everyday basis without cheating will give you the result you desire.