It’s been a long, hot summer, so between cranking the AC up, having the kids home from school, and spending more time at home, there’s a good chance your electric bill has gone up over the last few months. While this can be discouraging, there are a few things you can do to decrease what you’ll pay for electricity. We put together this list of 7 ways to reduce your high electric bill.
1. Switch to Solar
Switching to solar is a large, expensive project, but it’s the most efficient money saver. You could potentially cut out your electric bill entirely by switching to solar energy. Many states and cities even offer residents a tax credit and other incentives for installing solar panels. Solar is the best way to cut down on your high electric bill if you are in the market for installing a solar system for your home.
2. Weatherize Your Home
One of the best ways to reduce your electric bill is by making your home as energy-efficient as possible. The first step to energy efficiency is ensuring your home isn’t losing energy through holes or cracks. Shut all your windows and doors, then see if you can feel any drafts. If you feel any drafts, then this is where you’re losing heat or air conditioning. You can also lose energy through gaps under your doors or loose windows. You can remedy this with weather stripping, which helps keep heat and air from escaping through the crevices in your door and window frames.
3. Change Your Habits
Be sure to turn off any lights and unplug appliances and electronics when you aren’t using them. Turning your water heater to a lower temperature also helps keep your electric bill low. Washing your clothes on a cold setting instead of warm or hot can also reduce electricity use. Washing dishes by hand rather than the dishwasher also helps keep costs down.
4. Talk to Your Electric Company
Many electric companies offer discounted rates throughout the day, usually when most people are asleep or aren’t home. Knowing these times can help you plan when to do your activities that use the most energy. For example, if you use automatic appliances, set them to run during your electric company’s discounted hours.
5. Upgrade Your Appliances
Older appliances typically use a lot more energy than newer ones. By replacing your old appliances, you make your home more energy-efficient. When buying your new appliances, check the product’s energy star rating, which is usually displayed on a bright yellow label. This label will show how much electricity the appliance uses and its approximate yearly cost. The higher the rating, the more money you’ll save.
6. Inspect Your Heating and Cooling Units
The largest portion of your electric bill results from your heating and air conditioning use. Routine checkups for your units can help you save energy and money. Make sure your units are clean before using them. Dirt and grime build-up on your unit can lead to less heat or air while using more electricity. Additionally, it would be best if you changed your filters often. Dirty filters lead to bad air quality in your home, adding to your already high electric bill.
7. Switch Lightbulbs
Changing your lightbulb type throughout your house is another simple way to reduce energy consumption. Rather than using halogen lights, switch to LED lightbulbs. They may be a little more expensive, but they’ll help take out a piece of your energy bill. Installing dimmer switches also helps with reducing energy use. By dimming the lights, you reduce the energy you’re wasting.
More Electric Bill Reducing Options
Here are a couple more tips for keeping your high electric bills in check: Replace your roof when it starts to wear down. A word-down roof can be a significant source of lost heat and air. Also, keep an eye on your electric meter. If your meter is off, there could be extra charges for the electricity you didn’t use. Avoid overcharges by ensuring your electric meter is on and keeping track of the proper electricity used.
Switch to Solar and Save
Solar panels are low maintenance and produce sustainable energy that keeps your home running and improves the planet’s health. At Sunlight Solar, our installation team works to place the right number of solar panels on your home to get you the most energy. If you’re ready to make the switch to solar energy and avoid high electric bills, we are here to help you with every step. Reach out to us at (858) 564-8032 or visit our website and we can answer any questions you might have regarding how solar can benefit you and your home.
