For a while now, electricity costs have been through the roof. In 2021, electricity costs rose by 4.3%, the highest since 2008. This has put most homeowners on edge, with most of them doing everything they can to reduce their electricity expenses.
Contrary to popular belief, reducing your electricity bill doesn’t require big upgrades or changes to your lifestyle. In fact, many of the best ways to reduce your electric bill are small, inexpensive changes that you can make easily. If you want to know how to reduce your electric bill without spending a bundle, you’re in the right place.
In today’s post, we’ll be highlighting a few simple upgrades you can make to reduce your electricity usage and save a bundle on your monthly bills.
1. Non-Electric Washers
One of the most energy-efficient ways to reduce your electricity bill is to ditch your electric washer and dryer for a non-electric model.
Non-electric washers use less water and energy, which means lower utility bills. They’re often more gentle on clothes, meaning you’ll save money on laundry in the long run.
If you’re not ready to give up your electric washer and dryer, there are still ways you can reduce your electricity usage.
One way is only to wash full loads of laundry. This will save you time, water, and energy in the long run. You should also try to air-dry your clothes whenever possible.
2. Smart Power Strips
Another easy way to reduce your electricity usage is to invest in a smart power strip. Smart power strips are devices that help you manage your home’s energy consumption. They work by automatically shutting off power to devices that are not in use.
This can save you a significant amount of money on your monthly electricity bill. It’s especially useful for people who forget to turn off their devices after use.
There are a number of different smart power strips on the market, so be sure to do your research before purchasing one.
3. Reflective Surfaces
Another simple way to reduce your electricity usage is to reflect heat away from your home. This can be done by adding reflective surfaces to the exterior of your home, preferably the roof. Reflective surfaces reflect heat away from your home, which keeps it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
This helps you save money on your monthly electricity bill because it reduces your reliance on your HVAC or AC unit. Reflective surfaces are also great for the environment because they help reduce your carbon footprint.
There are plenty of ways to add reflective surfaces to your home. One way is to paint your roof white. This will reflect heat away from your home and help keep it cooler in the summer.
You can also add reflective film to your windows to reflect heat away from your home in the summer, keeping it cooler. Installing reflective surfaces on your roof will have the same effect.
4. Energy Efficient Doors and Windows
Another great way to reduce your electricity usage is to upgrade to energy-efficient doors and windows. Energy-efficient doors and windows are made with special materials that help keep heat in or out of your home, depending on the season.
Energy-efficient windows have a clear metal oxide compound that reflects about 95% of the heat from the sun. Energy efficient patio doors fit tightly around their frames, preventing heat from entering or exiting the room.
Installing these doors and windows is a great way to reduce your electricity expenses. That’s because you won’t have to use your HVAC as much. They’re also great for the environment because they help reduce your carbon footprint.
5. Smart Fans
One of the simplest ways to reduce your electricity usage is to upgrade to a smart fan. Smart fans are ceiling fans that can be controlled via a mobile app or voice assistant. They work by automatically turning it off when they sense that the room is empty.
You can pair your smart fan with a smart thermostat to get the most out of it. Smart thermostats can automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule and activity. This means that your fan will only run when you need it to, translating to massive savings on your electric bill.
6. LED Light Bulbs
To know how to reduce your electricity bill at home, you’ll need an open mind. Consider ditching the traditional incandescent bulbs and getting LED light bulbs instead. Unlike traditional bulbs, LED light bulbs are much more efficient, using up to 90% less energy than incandescents.
They also last significantly longer, with up to 25,000 hours. This means that you won’t have to replace your bulbs as often, saving you even more money. What’s more, these LED bulbs are affordable and readily available in any convenient store near you.
7. Spray Foam
Spray foam isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think of energy-efficient upgrades. However, they’re a great way to cut down on electricity use and reduce your monthly bills.
You can use spray foam to create airtight seals on your doors and windows as insulation. This prevents heat from escaping or entering the room and helps maintain internal temperatures. Apart from doors and windows, you can spray it on the air ducts, pipe inlets, and attic.
It’s an excellent way to reduce your HVAC usage during the hot and cold seasons. This means you can lower your electricity bill quite significantly.
8. Smart Thermostats
We’ve talked about smart thermostats before, but they deserve a spot on this list. Smart thermostats can save you a ton of money by automatically adjusting the temperature based on your schedule and activity.
For instance, if you know that you’ll be out of the house all day, you can set the thermostat to a lower temperature so that it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the internal temperature. This can lead to significant savings on your electric bill, especially during the hotter months.
What’s more, smart thermostats are becoming increasingly affordable, so there’s really no excuse not to get one for your home. The benefits of home improvement with this technology are hard to understate.
9. Cool Roofs
If you live in a hot region, one of the best ways to reduce your electric bill is to upgrade to a cool roof.
Cool roofs are designed to reflect sunlight and heat away from the building. They use reflective materials or light colors rather than typical roofing materials that absorb heat.
This can help keep your home cooler in the summer, which will reduce the amount of energy you need to use for air conditioning. Cool roofs can also help reduce your carbon footprint.
To find out if a cool roof is right for your home, you should talk to a qualified roofing contractor. They’ll be able to assess your needs and give you an estimate for the cost of upgrading to a cool roof.
10. Low-Flow Faucets and Shower Heads
Another great way to reduce your electric bill is to upgrade your home’s plumbing fixtures. Low-flow faucets and showerheads can save you a lot of water and energy.
Low-flow fixtures are designed to use less water than traditional fixtures. They often have special sensors that regulate the flow of water, so you’re not wasting any water when you’re not using it. You’re probably wondering what any of this has to do with electricity.
Well, the less amount of water flowing through the faucets and showers, the less electricity you need to heat them. If you crunch the numbers, you’ll find that you’ve made huge savings on both your water and electricity bills.
Upgrading to low-flow fixtures can save you money on your water and energy bills. It’s a great way to be more efficient and reduce your environmental impact.
11. Smart Motion Sensors
Another great way to reduce your electric bill is to upgrade to smart motion sensors. Smart motion sensors are designed to turn lights off when there’s no one in the room.
This can save you a huge amount of money on your electricity bill since you’re not wasting any energy on lighting an empty room. Smart motion sensors can also help improve your home’s security.
Upgrading to smart motion sensors is a great way to save money and improve your home’s security. It’s a classic case of killing two birds with one stone.
12. Ultra-Efficient Heat Pumps
Upgrading to an ultra-efficient heat pump is another great way to cut down on your electricity costs. Heat pumps are designed to move heat from one place to another.
In the winter, they transfer heat from the ground into your home. In the summer, they do the reverse and transfer heat from your home into the ground. This means you don’t have to use your HVAC as much, or at all.
How To Reduce Your Electric Bill Simplified
Now that you know how to reduce your electric bill, our job here is done. It’s now up to you to take the right steps to reduce your electricity costs. You might need to invest a little money, but it’ll all be worth it in the end.
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