Learn the Top 13 Ways to Reduce Your Electricity Bill

For many homeowners, anticipating the cost of their monthly electricity bill is anxiety-inducing. But it doesn’t need to be this way. It’s time to take control of your energy consumption at home and start saving big on utility bills.

Luckily, TRUST Heating & Air is by your side all the way through. Adopt the tips and tricks we provide in this article and be on your way to significant savings.

Here are thirteen expert ways to save money on your electricity bill:

1 | Seal the Gaps to Reduce Your Electricity Bill

When outdoor air is constantly flowing into your home, your HVAC system will need to work much harder to keep indoors chilled and comfortable.

Look for any cracks, gaps, or openings in the home’s structure. Inspect all areas, including windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, and so on. When your home is intact, you’ll save more than 10 percent on your heating bills.

Start by caulking or weather-stripping around windows. Fill in cracks around door frames with caulk, and while you’re at it, install a screw-on or adhesive-backed door sweep. Furthermore, be sure to look at the roof, attic, and basement. Repair any damages or cracks that allow outside air to creep indoors.

2 | Reduce the Temperature on Your Hot Water Thermostat.

Most manufacturers say to set the water heater at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. However, 120 degrees is typically sufficient for your water heating needs all year round, according to the Department of Energy. If you are curious if this method is genuine and will, in fact, help you save money on your electricity bill, try it out for yourself. Unless you are above average on how much hot water you use, you’ll find that your energy costs will decrease, and you’ll still have the hot water you need.

3 | Replace the HVAC Air Filter to Reduce the Electricity Bill

Every homeowner should know that the air filter on your HVAC unit needs to be replaced regularly. But where people go wrong is not knowing when it is best to switch the old filter for a fresh one.

A good rule to go by is to change the filter when it’s discolored or clogged with debris, like dust or pet hair. However, if you work better on a schedule, we recommend replacing your air filter every 30 to 60 days, depending on the condition of your home. For instance, you’ll want to change the filter monthly if you have pets, burn candles and incense regularly, or dust less often.

Using a dirty and clogged air filter will block the air flowing into the HVAC unit and cause it to work much harder than it needs to. In turn, more energy is used, and your electricity bill will rise. Prevent this from happening to keep your energy costs low and avoid early wear and tear of the unit.

4 | Take Cheaper Showers.

Save money on your electricity bill while doing something you do every single day- showering.

Yes, you read that right. You can absolutely save some cash in the shower. You can do this in two different ways. Plus, when you combine the two methods, you’ll see significant savings in utility costs.

The first and most obvious way is to take shorter showers. Those who have taken on the challenge of reducing the time you spend in the shower have found many ways to get squeaky clean in minutes. Here are some tips how what you can do to maximize shower time and save on your electricity bill:

• Have everything ready to go before starting the shower.
• Time your shower with an alarm. Or better yet, play a 5-minute song to limit your time in the shower.
• Take a cold shower to discourage yourself from spending too long relaxing in the warm water.
• Use the right amount of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Using an excess amount takes longer to rinse. Typically, all that’s needed is a quarter-sized amount of soap to adequately clean your hair or body.

You can also consider an energy-efficient electric water heater. It can save up to 20% on your water heating bills with a quick payback time.

5 | Insulate Your Attic.

It doesn’t cost much to add insulation to attics, crawl spaces, ceilings, basement walls, and near recessed lighting fixtures. But it saves big on your electricity bill. Plus, it takes out drafts and makes your family feel more comfortable.

6 | Consider Energy Star Appliances.

Energy Star is the trusted, government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices. The Energy Star label was established to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by inefficient energy use. Plus, they make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort.

When purchasing new appliances, look for the Energy Star rated products, and you’ll reduce your bills.

7 | Save on your Electricity Bill in the Kitchen.

Most homeowners don’t think twice about the energy their kitchen appliances use. Each day, we’re in our kitchens, which makes it the perfect place to start saving energy and cash.

Cook with smaller, alternative devices like a toaster oven, electric skillet, slow cooker, or microwave to use less energy than your stove and other appliances.

8 | Use the Appliances Throughout Your Home Wisely.

Here’s a money-saving hack most people would never think of.

Run your appliances in the evening when the temperature is lower outside, and your air conditioning doesn’t have to work as hard inside to combat the heat put out by your devices.

9 | Schedule Routine Maintenance.

Regular tune-ups and sealing up leaky ductwork can save you a bundle in heating and cooling bills. Soot buildup, dusty or poorly lubricated fans, flickering pilot lights, and loose fan belts can add hundreds to your yearly heating costs.

With an experienced team like TRUST Heating & Air, routine maintenance for your HVAC system is easy. Simply book a time and day that works best for you and be on your way to saving money on your electricity bill in the long run.

Additionally, you should reach out to your local plumbing experts to take care of problems like leaks and dripping fixtures.

10 | Limit Your Ceiling Fan Use to Reduce the Electricity Bill

It’s a commonly believed myth that running your ceiling fans will cool your home and allow you to run the AC at a higher temperature while saving you some cash. However, this is not how ceiling fans work.

Running ceiling fans in rooms where people are present can give you the chance to set the thermostat a little higher while remaining cool and comfortable. But, when no one is there to experience the chilling breeze, the fan does nothing but continue to waste energy.

This is because of the wind-chill factor of ceiling fans. In other words, you only feel cooler under a running fan because the circulating air cools your skin. It has nothing to do with legitimately decreasing the temperature in your home.

So, remember to keep the ceiling fans off when you are away from home or not in the room.

11 | Dust the Refrigerator Coils.

Another quick and easy way to save money on your electricity bill is to dust off the coils on your refrigerator. It works harder if dust is in the coils and costs more money.

12 | Adjust Your Refrigerator and Freezer Temperature Settings.

Set your refrigerator temperature between 37 and 40 degrees and your freezer to 5 degrees. Plus, keep them full, so they don’t have to work as hard to stay cold. Adopting both energy-saving tricks will certainly reduce utility costs.

13 | Stay on Top of the Lights.

This last tip to save money on monthly bills is something everyone knows to do. However, some of us still haven’t gotten into the habit as well as we should. Make sure you turn off the lights in the rooms that you are not in and when you are away from home. All it takes is a quick run-through to ensure all switches are in the off position.

TRUST Heating & Air Helps You Save Cash on Your Electricity Bill

Ask any technician from TRUST Heating & Air– The number one way to reduce energy costs is to schedule routine HVAC maintenance. Your AC unit consumes high amounts of energy each day, and when it’s not working efficiently, your monthly costs can soar.

Give us a call at TRUST Heating & Air to schedule routine maintenance and kick off your energy-saving journey the right way.