
Paying for utility bills is already a tiring thing to do and it becomes even more cumbersome when you are faced with a lot of digits on your bill.
There’s virtually no way to avoid the responsibility of paying for utility bills without having to go off-grid. However, there are ways in which you can greatly reduce your utility costs.
Saving money on your utility bills doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to avert your hands from light switches.
Here are some practical tips to save money on energy bills big time.
Plan Ahead
The key to reducing your energy bill is to simply plan ahead. As per Electricity Monster, you should consider checking the rates of each energy supplier within your area. It really makes a difference if you know which suppliers have better rates.
It’s also worth planning out how much energy your appliances consume.
The details about an appliance’s KWH is usually seen on the instruction manuals. If not there, you can check for it at the electricity consumption guide often at the side for the device.
By learning how much a device consumes, you can easily plan how often you should use this device. For instance, if the TV has a lot of KWH, set times through which your family can use it. For more advanced planning, you can list down and calculate exactly how much energy you are consuming on a daily basis too.
Buy Inverter Ready Appliances
You might’ve seen air conditioning units or even refrigerators that are labeled with inverter and non-inverter. Appliances that have inverters are far more expensive but on the other hand, they consume less energy as compared to their non-inverter counterparts.
An air conditioning unit with an inverter consumes up to 50% less energy as compared to a regular air conditioning unit. While the initial fee for the unit you have to buy is much higher, you can make up for the excess costs through lower electricity bills in the following months.
Go Sustainable
Solar powered energy sources are now more accessible as compared to what used to be years ago. Now, a lot of energy suppliers also offer solar panel installation services to homes.
One thing worth noting about going solar is that the initial fees for installation are heavy. After shouldering these fees however, you’ll see a drastic drop in your utility bills. Another downside is that it takes up space in your property too so make sure that your house is capable of having solar panels around.
Some people give their homes the hybrid treatment. This means installing solar panels to generate energy during the day and then relying on standard energy at night.
Rely On Natural Lighting
A common mistake that people make is leaving the lights on even when there’s daylight. It’s impractical and it increases your electricity bills by a margin as well. Instead of using artificial lighting during the day, just pull your curtains to the side and let natural lighting do the work.
Open The Windows On Summer Days
During the hot season, your house will feel like an oven. It’s not just the heat outside that’s causing it. It’s also because of the fact that there’s not enough airflow inside your house.
Instead of turning on your air conditioning unit, you should instead open up the windows and let the air in. It makes a huge difference in the temperatures if you let the air flow freely inside the house. Not only does it cost nothing on your energy bill, it also makes the air inside the house feel fresher too.
Unplug Electronics When They’re Not In Use
This has been advised by energy suppliers and government agencies alike – ALWAYS unplug your electronics when you’re done with them. This includes the microwave, the TV, gaming consoles, computers, and even smartphone chargers. Even when not in use, they still consume energy as long as they remain plugged.
Aside from keeping your utility bills low, unplugging devices also makes your house safer. Some house fires are caused by electronics that have been left plugged even when not in use. It might sound tiring to do so but if it’s your money and safety at stake, it’s best to follow the guidelines.
There are many other ways through which you can save money on your utility bills. It’s not always about how many electronics you own, it’s also about how smart you are when it comes to energy consumption. With the tips that we’ve shared above, you can greatly reduce your energy bill without having to affect your comfort.