If you want to reduce your electric bill, there are a few ways to do it. You can lower your thermostat, switch out your light bulbs and make sure that nothing is running when you’re not home.
But if you’re still paying a lot more than you used to, there may be an underlying problem that’s causing your electricity costs to skyrocket.
Here are seven reasons why your electric bill might be too high:
- It’s summer.
- You’re leaving your devices plugged in.
- You have several computers and devices plugged in at once.
- You have several TVs, stereos, and appliances running at the same time.
- You have a leaky faucet or a toilet that’s constantly running water.
- Your appliances need to be replaced.
- You’re using old light bulbs.
There are a lot of reasons your electric bill is high, but you can save money by keeping your home energy efficient.
What Uses the Most Energy in Your Home?
The first step in saving energy is to identify where you spend the most on your utility bills. According to EnergyStar.gov., the average U.S. household spends $2,060 per year on utilities, but that figure varies widely depending on where you live and how much energy you use.
The largest chunk of your utility bill is likely going toward cooling and heating your home. Cooling uses the most energy in the summer, but both heating and cooling are significant costs year-round.
Water heaters use a lot of energy too — especially if they’re gas-powered instead of electric. A standard electric water heater uses about 30 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month, while a gas model uses about 100 kWh per month — more than twice as much! That’s why it’s so important to insulate hot water pipes to keep them from losing heat through the walls of your home or attic insulation.
Ways to Make Your Home Energy Efficient
Making your home more energy efficient can help to reduce household costs, save natural resources, and make your home more comfortable while contributing to a cleaner environment.
- Set Your Thermostat
- Invest in Energy Efficient Windows
- Upgrade Your Water Heater
- Create a Greener Lawn and Landscape
- Add More Insulation to Your Attic
- Use Energy Efficient Appliances
- Clean or Replace Air Filters Regularly
- Install a Programmable Thermostat
- Use Natural Light Instead of Electrical Lights
- Unplug Electronics and Appliances you’re Not Using
Will Upgraded Electrical Outlets Save you Money on Your Electric Bill?
Yes, upgraded electrical outlets can save you money on your electric bill.
If you have older homes with aluminum wiring, they don’t conduct electricity as well as newer homes with copper wiring. The problem is that aluminum oxidizes over time and becomes a poor conductor of electricity. When this happens, your home’s wiring can become overloaded and start to spark or trip breakers. You may even have a buzzing outlet.
Upgrading to a new outlet can help reduce the amount of power that is being lost in your home by reducing the amount of resistance in your electrical system. It also helps prevent electrical fires by making sure that any sparks caused by loose connections are safely contained within the outlet box.
Replacing old outlets can be dangerous work if done incorrectly, so it’s important to hire an experienced electrician to do the job for you.
Let an Electrician Help you Find Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill
When you’re looking for ways to cut back on your electric bill, it can be tempting to try and do it all yourself. But unless you have experience working with electricity, there are some things you should leave to the professionals. You could be putting yourself at risk or making your home less safe if you aren’t careful.
At Mullin Electric in Broken Arrow, OK., we understand that your electric bill can be a huge expense each month. That’s why we want to help you find ways to lower it. So whether you’re already one of our customers, or you’re just getting to know us, we would love to go over the best options for you to lower your electric bill.
Call us at (918) 209-3316. Mullin Electric, your 24 hour emergency electrician in Tulsa County, OK.
6 Signs You Need an Electrician in Broken Arrow OK.