10 Ways to lower your electrical bill

Whether you think about a positive impact on the environment or just on your wallet, having a more energy-efficient home will reduce the utility bills. Read on to discover 10 ways to lower your electrical bill starting now.

1. Turn off the light

Light can be our best friend, but also our enemy when it comes to electricity bills. The easiest way to reduce the cost is to turn off the light where is not necessary. If you leave a room, don’t forget to press the switcher! You will see the result on your next bill.

2. Use energy efficient light bulbs

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Even though regular light bulbs are very common and cheap, you might start considering the energy efficient ones in order to save money on long term. They may be a bit more expensive, but their life spam is definitely longer and generate less carbon dioxide. LED lights for instance, consume almost 90% energy less than a regular incandescent bulbs.

3. Unplug electrical devices

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We are surrounded by electrical devices and that’s a great thing for sure. But we use so many chargers which, most of time, remain plugged even when it’s not necessary. They still consume energy, even if not a significant amount. This is available for all technological devices such as TVs, lamps, etc. If safety comes first, consider unplugging the electrical devices when leaving the house.

4. Use energy saving appliances

Air conditioners and heating devices are the biggest energy consumers in any house. Especially if they are older models. New ones are specially designed to consume less energy, but they still do. Make sure to do the updates on a regular basis and to change the filters whenever needed.

5. Insulate your house

If you haven’t done it yet, do it! It’s something you do once and last a life time. An insulated house reduces the energy used with heating or cooling. You might think the windows are closed, but if they are not well insulated, all the cooling/heating system are going to work twice as much to provide the right temperature in a room, while the bill increases with every second.

6. Use the thermostat wisely

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We have all the technology in our hands, so why not use it properly? The thermostat is a great tool which can help us save energy. For instance, you can program your heater to dial back during the day when no one is home, or at night when you’re in bed. Or you can lower a bit water temperature. A lot of energy is consumed just to heat the water.

7. Limit the use during peak times

During the peak times, energy rates are the highest because of the increase in demand. Try doing some chores during the day to take advantage of the lower rates. Delay the washing machine for example.

8. Keep the fridge full

It’s not just the food we’re talking about. If the refrigerator’s door is frequently opened, it will run better if it’s full because it has to cool less warm air that makes its way inside.

9. Consult a professional

Consult a professional energy audit to provide the right info about the electrical circuit of the house. You will thus know the changes you need to make and if & where you waste energy.

10. Use alternative energy

Solar panels are becoming more popular and less expensive. While the installation comes with a price, the long term advantages are huge in terms of saving money.

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