Have you ever wondered why your bills are more than what you expect? Or why, after trying to cut down your energy use, do you have no idea how they got there? You are not alone! Most people fall victim to being charged more for energy due to insufficient knowledge as to how to effectively manage energy. There are several ways to cut down energy costs, save money, and still be comfortable. Below are some of the tricks that will help you save money on energy bills.
- Reduce The Thermostat
This might seem simple but it is an effective means of saving money. When you turn down your thermostat by 10-15 degrees, you save yourself tons of money, and this is why it is important to reduce it while sleeping or when going out. The location of the thermostat is also an important thing to consider as direct sunlight, wind, and other conditions can be detected by the thermostat hence powering on the AC or furnace unnecessarily. - Cut Down The Heating
You read it right, you do not need to heat the whole house when you only stay in a room. This is true especially when you are living alone. Only heat the room you are currently in and leave out the other areas of the house to save money and energy.
When we are talking about the difference between hydronic vs electric heating, this is where the difference becomes prominent. Electric heating uses electricity to produce heat while hydronic heating uses hot water or steam to provide warmth in a room. This means that electric heating allows you to easily control which rooms are being heated and for how long, while hydronic heating requires more complex systems and may not allow for room-by-room control. - Get An Energy Meter
The best way to save money is to keep track of your expenses. What better way to save money on energy bills than to get an energy meter that keeps a record of your energy usage? There are three types of energy meters, namely Electro-mechanical induction energy meter, Electronic energy meter, and smart energy meter. The smart meter, unlike the other two aforementioned, will have the records sent to your mobile or your computer, provided there is an internet connection. - Minimize Water Consumption
The use of water for various household chores cannot be overemphasized. However, it has been noticed that people take the importance of water for granted by wasting it. There are various ways to save money when it comes to water consumption, as Ellie Marks from Simply Mumma encourages the economical use of water for bathing, washing, and other necessities. This can be done by using a glass to hold water when you brush your teeth or taking shorter showers. - Disconnect Power When Not In Use
People often leave their phone chargers in the socket even if their phones are not plugged in. Little did they know that these chargers still consume electricity. To cut down on energy wastage, one should ensure that all gadgets and their plugs are disconnected from the power source when not in use. One could also make use of power strips that disconnects current when devices are not in use. - Repair Leaky Faucets
Faucets with leaks are not only annoying but also wasteful; they waste both water and electricity. Repairs should be done immediately if any taps are found to be damaged or leaky as this goes a long way in saving money. - Invest In Energy Saving Light Bulbs
Another foolproof method of saving money on energy bills is to replace frequently used bulbs with LEDs or halogen incandescent bulbs that bear the energy star label. Since 5% of household energy consumption is on lighting, switching to LEDs could help cut down some expenses. - Do Not Let the Heat Escape
When you do not put a tight leash on the windows, doors, chimneys, fridge, and freezers, heat and cold air could escape. Seal all opening up to keep the heat in and the cold out.
Energy wastage contributes to a considerable amount of money loss and environmental pollution. If you are ever in doubt about your energy bills, make your regular meter readings available to your energy supplier. That way, you will avoid a buildup of credits or debits. You can also ask for a refund if the numbers on your meter readings don’t add up.
Featured image: Unsplash (Osman Rana).
