I Tried These 8 Expert Tips and Watched My Utility Bills Drop Like Magic

With fall at the corner of the street and the fresher time on the way, you will probably use less energy than you did during the summit of the summer. However, if high public service bills have already extended your budget and you feel the pressure, you are not alone. This CNET survey revealed that more than 78% of us, adults, are concerned about the cost of their domestic energy consumption.

The good news is that there are simple and supported strategies by experts who can help reduce these expenses without sacrificing comfort. By bringing a few small changes, you can reduce your monthly costs and keep your home running more efficiently all year round.

That said, there are many ways to save on gas, electricity and water in the coming months. Even small habits, such as unused unused devices, wash your clothes in a different way, cook with energy saving devices or adjust your thermostat at the right temperature can help save money and make your home more energy efficient.

Here are eight steps that you can take to start saving electricity, gas, water – and money. For more money saving advice, see more about how to save your home to save on bills and a simple home upgrade that can help you save on summer cooling costs.

1. Get an electricity audit

Many electric companies offer a free audit, where they examine your home and look at your electricity bills to help determine where you waste energy. You can follow the recommendations to reduce your electricity bill. If you cannot get an audit for free, you may always be able to qualify it as an energy efficient credit and recover costs during the tax season.

Even if your electric company does not provide this service, you can easily carry out a DIY domestic energy audit using the instructions of the website of the American Ministry of Energy.

2. Adjust your thermostat

One of the easiest ways to reduce your electricity bill is to adjust your thermostat. According to the Ministry of Energy, you can save up to 10% on your heating and cooling costs by adjusting your thermostat from 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours per day. In other words, keep it a little hotter in summer and a little cooler in winter.

A simple way to do so is to adjust your thermostat when you sleep or far from your home. If you have a smart thermostat, you can predefine your thermostat to adapt during these hours so that you do not forget.

3. Reduce your water heater

Many water heaters have set thermostats to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 C). But in reality, most households need only a maximum of 120 Fahrenheit. The implementation of your water heater at a lower temperature can save hundreds of dollars a year.

The temperature adjustment of a water heater is a quick and easy solution. The thermostat dial on your water heater is probably near the bottom of the tank on the electric or gas control valve. Make sure you check the owner’s manual for the instructions to adjust it – and if you have any questions, see a professional technician.

4. Turn off and disconnect what you don’t use

By leaving things around your house, you are connected and on when you do not use them, you unnecessarily set up your electricity bill.

You can start by turning off the lights when you are not in the room or when it is light enough outside to rely solely on natural light. Multiply the power of your bulb by what your electricity supplier invoices per kilowatt to know how much you save. This amount only increases with the power of the bulb. Although it doesn’t seem much, it can add up over time.

You can also save money by disconnecting the devices you don’t use. Ghost energy, the energy that your devices use when it is connected but not activated, can cost an average of $ 100 per year.

5. Use your dishwasher

It may seem counterattack to suggest managing a device to save on your electricity bill. And yes, there was a time when the dishwasher used much more water than they do today. But the Ministry of Energy regulates the amount of water that modern dishwashers can use. Any dishwasher made since 2013 is limited to the use of 5 water gallons. If it is a compact size dishwasher, it is limited to 3.5 gallons.

You might think that you surely use less than 5 gallons of water to wash your dishes. But the US Geological Survey estimates that it takes 9 to 27 gallons of water to wash a load of dishes. (If you are curious, we also have a tip on how to load your dishwasher in the right direction.)

6. Take advantage of the out -of -peak rates

Electricity consumption tends to be higher during certain periods of the day and the year. First, demand is higher in winter and summer when people direct radiators and air conditioners. It is also higher during the day and evening.

Certain electricity companies offer time delay plans, increasing rates during peak hours and decreasing them during peak hours. If you have one of these plans, you can save money by performing large devices like your dishwasher and your washing machine early in the morning or late in the evening.

7. Change your air filters

Your air filter helps catch dirt, dust, animal hair and more, preventing it from making its way in your CVC. When you do not change your air filters regularly, these debris enter your CVC system and turn it down, reducing its effectiveness. According to the Ministry of Energy, replacing your filters on time can reduce the energy consumption of your air conditioner from 5% to 15%.

8. More ways to save on your bills

There are many steps, large and small, which you can take to reduce your consumption and save money on your bills. The Ministry of Energy has an entire section of its website devoted to providing advice to help you save on energy. And although many of them are with a price, there are many others like those on this list that you can do for free.

To find out more, see the ceiling fans tip that can help your home stay cooler this summer, and you can also explore our solar cheeky leaf.

More energy and money economy advice