When winter rolls around, rising energy bills are one of the last things you want to worry about. Sure, you may have signed up for fixed rates on your electricity and gas, but even so, you can expect your utility bills to rise throughout the winter months.
If you’re looking to keep your household costs low during these frigid months, be sure to follow these seven tips on how to save on your utility bills this winter season.
Table of Contents
Use LED Lighting
Incandescent bulbs generate most of their energy through heat, meaning they use up a lot of electricity without actually lighting your room. Replacing these bulbs with LED lights will save you money in more ways than one. For example, because LEDs don’t require as much power, they’re more environmentally friendly and can last longer than traditional light bulbs. Make sure you do your research before buying new lighting to ensure that you buy high-quality LEDs that are properly designed for use in your home.
Use Dimmer Switches
Using dimmer switches can save you up to $75 a year in energy costs. While they may not be installed everywhere, look for them in light fixtures and replace switches with dimmer ones. They come in all shapes and sizes, so your house may contain many of them but you just don’t know it yet.
If you have some lighting fixtures or outlets where dimmers are available and aren’t being used, feel free to use these tips as an excuse to swap them out. If there aren’t any switches currently present nearby which could be replaced with dimmers, at least consider installing one when adding new lights to your space.
Turn Down Heating/Cooling Systems
An average American household pays $2,200 a year on energy bills. Turning down your heating and cooling systems when you’re not home can save a great deal of money. It also saves energy, which is good for our environment as well. And even if it will not cost you that much in electricity or gas, any reduction in usage adds up over time. Be sure to adjust everything at once —downstairs temperatures, ceiling fans, etc.— so that no one room gets too cold or hot.
Replace Older Appliances
Older appliances aren’t efficient; not only do they use more energy, but they might be costing you a lot of money in wasted utility bills. If you need appliances for your house, replace old ones with new energy-efficient models. Plus, newer appliances are generally easier to clean and maintain, making them cost-effective from both a time and energy perspective.
Replacements are not only limited to appliances, change HVAC systems as well. Furnaces and air conditioners that are about 15 years old or older can produce 30 percent more carbon dioxide than newer models. If you have an older unit in your home, replacing it is one of the easiest ways to reduce energy costs at home. It’s also a quick way to help curb energy use—and emissions—in your community. Contact professionals to get a furnace repair or replacement for your home today and see how much you can save when you replace your older unit at home.
Check Insulation Levels
If you’re living in a home with insulation that’s been around for years, it might be time to boost your insulation levels. In colder climates, older homes often have inadequate levels of R-value. To help reduce your utility bills (and, better yet, help you save money on upgrades), hire a professional to conduct an energy audit of your home; they can let you know how much extra insulation you might need. Depending on how old your home is and what work needs to be done, these costs could vary dramatically—so get multiple estimates before taking action.
Cut Out Unnecessary Electronics
Many homes have several appliances plugged in but in use at any given time, which can cost hundreds of dollars a year. Unplug these items when they’re not in use, and you’ll save yourself energy and money. If you need your electronics running all day, consider investing in a smart power strip. These devices monitor your home’s electricity usage and power down your appliances when they detect low usage (like during overnight hours). This adds convenience while reducing electricity costs!
Saving money is crucial in the present-day economy. Whether it be energy bills, property taxes, or an increased gas bill from traveling back and forth to work every day. These rising costs can put a serious dent in your finances if you’re not careful. Fortunately, there are ways to save with small sacrifices of time and effort.
Whether it be turning off lights when leaving a room or fixing that leaky faucet before the water causes real damage. So next time you turn around and find yourself faced with high utility bills, give some of these suggestions a try.